The Profibus Association of Australia has announced that its Certified Profibus Training courses in Western Australia and Queensland were oversubscribed in November for the first time in two years, suggesting that the demand for Profibus skills is rising.
The Certified Profibus Training courses are held yearly in Australia by recognised Profibus trainer Andy Verwer who visits Australia to provide local engineers and technicians with specialised Profibus technology skills.
According to the Profibus Association of Australia president and Endress+Hauser Australia managing director, John Immelman, the process automation industry has seen a dramatic downturn in enrolments for skills-based training courses since the economic downturn began in mid-2008.
“There’s no question that most companies have cut back on discretionary spending to reduce overheads during the global financial crisis, and training staff was one of the first overheads to have been slashed”, Immelman said.
“We don’t agree with that choice. Trial and error on the job is no way to learn about Profibus, particularly when you consider the critical role fieldbus communication plays in the smooth operation of a process plant.”
Now that the Indian and Chinese economies have rebounded from the effects of the global financial crisis, recent media reports are forecasting a return to the boom years for the local resources sector over the next three years, according to Immelman.
“Now, more than ever is the time to invest in skills training because the downturn will not last forever,” he said.
“Skilled instrumentation technicians and engineers (with Profibus experience) will again be in demand when the boom years return, so the industry must look forward and be prepared.”