Metso UK offer accredited operator competency training

Lokotrack supplier takes training offering a step further with officially endorsed training programme

METSO UK have long offered training for greater safety and production efficiency on their Lokotrack mobile crushing equipment during commissioning, but now the company has taken its training offerings a step further and is able to officially endorse – and boost – operator competency through a recently accredited familiarization and safety training programme.

Metso’s competency course is now more detailed than before and can be tailored to meet a customer’s specific needs or fill in gaps in an operator’s machine knowledge. With both practical and theoretical elements, the course typically lasts two days but can be lengthened or shortened as required.

‘We are offering this course for two reasons: first, we want to increase operators’ ability to work more efficiently; and secondly, we also want to give them the knowledge they need to work more safely,’ explained service manager Paul Allen.

Mick Wykes and Glen Walker, Mining and Construction commissioning engineers, are both now Metso UK certified trainers. ‘Operators need to know how to problem solve and how to make the machine work at maximum efficiency for the task at hand, so we help boost their operating skill set,’ said Mr Wykes.

‘We also teach safe practices when doing maintenance and repairs. During commissioning training is provided to the operator at the site. However, when a new operator is involved or the machine moves to a new site, this knowledge can be easily lost. To overcome this, Metso felt it was important to create a more expansive programme to teach a wider range of practical skills.’

Metso’s experienced trainers have themselves undergone extensive training to become accredited through the Mineral Products Qualifications Council (MPQC) and Safety Pass Alliance (SPA). This accreditation will assist operators and their managers in proving the trainers’ competency to deliver recognized training.

‘In recent years, customers have become more aware of costs and are increasingly looking for ways of maximizing their efficiency and productivity. They want to ensure that their operators know how to get the very best out of these machines and are using them to the best of their efficiency,’ said Mr Wykes. ‘Because it’s a manager’s job to make sure his people are able to carry out these tasks, certification programmes to verify competency have become increasingly desirable.’

Carl Ashurst, operations manager - England with Breedon Aggregates, which was one of the first companies to put its operators through the Metso training programme, said: ‘At Breedon, we value quality, service and delivery, so it’s vital that we have well-trained, knowledgeable and efficient operators who can help us achieve these goals.

‘Training like this doesn’t just build skills; it does something more intangible by boosting operator confidence – and all operators need to be confident in their jobs if they’re going to succeed.’

Metso UK are one of the first leading OEM crusher suppliers to promote a competency certification course, and the UK-based training programme is unique within the global Metso company. For further information contact Paul Allen on tel: (01788) 532100; or mobile: (07780) 666618.