EDITOR ’ S CHOICE SPECIALIST EXPERTISE
DIPERK
Achieving the right skills balance
The heptathlete Jessica Ennis-Hill had one full time coach , Antonio Minichiello , for combined events throughout her career . However , when looking to improve her javelin , she received specialist coaching from World Championship bronze medallist Mick Hill . Like heptathletes , generator servicing companies are expected to perform a wide range of activities , yet there are still some tasks that require a specialist ’ s help . Here , Pete Trueman , Service Delivery Manager at DiPerk Power Solutions , exclusive supplier of Perkins ® engines and parts in the UK and Ireland , shares a case study of how companies can gain this specialist expertise .
In the UK , there is concern from Government , firms and academic bodies about a shortage in engineering skills and what this means for future generations . There is also some debate in the industry about what specific skills are required as technology continues to evolve .
“ Skills have been top of the priority list for a number of years , and as we move into the world of Industry 4.0 , those skills challenges are changing . The need for data and digital skills is increasing and we ’ re seeing a huge upskilling challenge ,” explained Ann Watson , CEO at engineering skills body Enginuity .
“… it ’ s also becoming increasingly difficult for employers to second-guess what skills they ’ re likely to need in the future ,” added Watson . “ What they ’ re telling us is that in five years ’ time we don ’ t know what an engineer ’ s going to look like but what we need is someone that ’ s got a broad range of skills that can be applied to different situations and technologies .”
A HEPTATHLON OF SERVICING EVENTS
Many generator servicing companies operate across the full spectrum of engine manufacturers and carry out routine maintenance like oil , coolant and filter changes . The variety of tasks they must perform demonstrates how important it is to have a broad range of skills , as Watson said . However , this approach can come unstuck when customers enquire about non-routine works . For example , reprofiling
Skills have been top of the priority list for a number of years , and as we move into the world of Industry 4.0 , those skills challenges are changing .
the exhaust system and synchronising standalone units are time-consuming and complex tasks that require skills beyond an engineer ’ s basic toolkit .
When carrying out major repairs on engines , unfamiliarity with a particular issue may cause delays and extend servicing timescales . This can be challenging when a business is paid based on generator uptime and its ability to supply required loads . However , lacking in-house specialised maintenance skills is no reason to turn customers away .
One solution is forming a mutualistic relationship with the engine manufacturer . This involves producing a clear contract that clarifies when the original equipment manufacturer ( OEM ) will step in , and to what
extent it can contact the customer . Once the company ’ s in-house engineers establish that they require external assistance , they can outsource it to the OEM — who has both knowledge and experience of the particular model .
A CASE IN POINT
In August 2020 , DiPerk began working with a generator installation and maintenance company based in Leeds . The company owns various store and firm frequency response ( FFR ) sites , which provide short term operating reserve ( STOR ) for the local grid . The company also builds and maintains these sites for energy companies and private investors . It has a large inhouse team of engineers that carry out maintenance , such as fitting emissions reduction equipment to ensure that the generator engines comply with the medium combustion plant directive ( MCPD ).
The company has fleets of diesel and gas-powered generator sets that deliver supplementary power when the grid is taking an additional load . It has a number of sites across the UK and every site has multiple generator sets . Every generator on each of these sites is containerised to protect them from weather and other external damage .
The company ’ s engineers noticed that oil leaks were starting to appear from the main engine sump on some of the generators .
14 PECM Issue 52