Maintaining Know-How

This article discusses that plant engineers are set to retire once they learn all the techniques. It seems that most organizations today are promoting the latest engineering and maintenance technologies. A problem that has existed for many years is that engineering students are taught a lot of theory, but little or none of the practicalities of maintenance and repair of equipment. The fault lies with top management of companies. For too many decades, top managements have considered maintenance to be strictly a cost center and a necessary evil that they hope will go away. When newly graduated engineers accept positions in the engineering and maintenance departments of industrial plants, they start learning the practical side of engineering and maintenance. Their employers then spend tens of thousands of dollars and a few years training them before inexperienced engineers can become profitable to their companies. The basics of plant and facility engineering and maintenance apply to all industries. All companies, for the benefit of their bottom lines, should urge colleges to implement a plant and facility engineering curriculum.