Machinery Lubrication magazine published by Noria Corporation
Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/544388
44 | July - August 2015 | www.machinerylubrication.com L u b r i c a t i o n P r o g r a m s BY SUZ Y HITCHCOCK, ICML Increasingly, managers are looking to third-party organiza- tions to verify that their staff members are competent and ready to perform in the roles to which they are assigned. This is largely due to narrow margins that demand mistake-free produc- tion and to cutbacks that have spread managers thin. Their increased span of control makes it diffi cult for these managers to obtain and maintain technical expertise in all the fi elds over which they are respon- sible. Third-party certifi cation offers a means by which they may assure that those who report to them are competent. For some managers, it may also serve as the mechanism by which pay levels are determined. Certifi cation by the International Council for Machinery Lubrication (ICML) is a peer-review process whereby individuals may prove their skills. It is not a licensing process like that for physicians or attor- neys, which is required by state law to practice in a fi eld. To become certifi ed by ICML, individuals must fi rst apply for candidacy. Candidacy requires a combina- tion of experience and formal training in an approved course of study. Once accepted into candidacy, an indi- vidual must achieve a satisfactory score on a multiple-choice examination covering the body of knowledge as defi ned by ICML. If successful, the individual will be certifi ed by ICML, receive a wall certifi cate and a wallet card providing proof of certifi cation. Certi- fi ed individuals may also identify themselves by their certifi cation in correspondence (i.e., John Q. Doe, Level II MLT). Failing candidates will be sent a failing notice highlighting their areas of defi ciency to help them better prepare for a retake. ICML policies allow for unlimited retakes of the exam, but in compliance with ISO stan- dards for certifi cation of condition monitoring personnel, there is a one-month waiting period between examinations. Certifi cation is good for a period of three years, at which time candidates will need to recertify to maintain their certifi ed status. Individual Benefits Earning an ICML certifi cation acknowl- edges your expertise in machinery lubrication and/or oil analysis to trouble- shoot and ensure reliability of lubricated equipment. The lubrication and oil analysis community, your employer, clients and peers will recognize your ICML credential as a symbol of the skills and knowledge you've gained through experience. ICML certifi ca- tion shows that you are a professional with the ability to successfully utilize machinery lubrication and/or oil analysis for your organization or client. As an ICML-certifi ed professional, you also will receive logos and certifi cates to enable you to identify your ICML-certifi ed status to colleagues or clients. Employer/Organization Benefits Through certifi cation, organizations can maximize their return on investment in oil analysis. ICML certifi cation delivers a stan- dardized method of determining training needs and measuring results; a reliable benchmark for hiring, promoting and career planning; employee recognition and rewards that validate their expertise; improved employee ability to ensure machine reli- ability; and quality assurance for outsourced oil analysis and lubrication services. Community Benefits Certifi cation brings much-needed credentials to the lubrication and oil anal- ysis community along with benefi ts such as respect for the oil analysis and lubrication professions and an increase in profession- alism within the community. Certifi cation is the mark of a profes- sional. It helps to ensure that individuals who practice a craft, be it lubricant analysis or medicine, have a defi ned measure of skills. For the fi eld of machinery lubrication, certifi cation creates a formal framework of knowledge, raises the profi le of those working in the industry and provides managers with assurance of skills. CER TIFICATION NEWS Certifi cation Offers BENEFITS TO INDIVIDUALS, Organizations and the Community ICML Announces New Board of Directors The International Council for Machinery Lubrication (ICML) recently announced its newest board of directors. The new board is comprised of ICML founding member (and Noria CEO) Jim C. Fitch, along with Hugh Blake Edmondson, director of reliability inte- gration and plant systems for Tamko Building Products; Bryan M. Johnson, predictive maintenance and lubrication engineer at Arizona Public Service (Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station); David E. Lange, deputy executive director for the American Associa- tion of Petroleum Geologists; and Richard N. Wurzbach, president of MRG Laboratories. These distinguished professionals bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to guide ICML into a most promising future. ICML would also like to acknowledge and thank its technical advisory council, which has served as an ad-hoc board. Its continued participation and support of ICML has been instrumental in the organization's grow th and success. The complete advisory council roster can be viewed at www.lubecouncil.org/volunteers.aspx.