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NEWS DFA Media, the organiser of Drives & Controls Exhibition and co- located shows, has been actively monitoring and following advice regarding the Coronavirus outbreak (Covid-19) over the past weeks. It has been decided that Fluid Power & Systems, Air- Tech and its co-located events will be postponed. They are now re-scheduled for 25 to 27 January 2021 (NEC, Birmingham, Halls 9 & 10) and will take place alongside the MACH Exhibition. The co-location of events will include: Drives & Controls, Plant & Asset Management and Smart Industry Expo. DFA Media has been following UK Government guidelines and working with the rolling advice from the public health authorities and other organisations. The effects of Coronavirus, actual and projected, are becoming increasingly evident across all aspects of our lives both here in the UK and across the globe. Ian Atkinson, DFA Media’s event director, comments that as a responsible event organiser, ensuring the health and wellbeing of all exhibitors, contractors and visitors (many of whom currently face travel restrictions) has to be the top priority. The decision has therefore been taken to postpone the shows until early next year. Atkinson adds: “By working closely with our venue partner the NEC, we have been able to secure the re-scheduled dates for the events. Current modelling projections suggest the virus will peak in Spring of this year and decline thereafter during the following months, allowing our exhibitors the opportunity to present their technologies, innovations and solutions in an upturning market with no restrictions on travel. “The rescheduled dates provide clarity and ensure we have the time and space to deliver the same high-quality event we originally promised, providing a safe and secure environment conducive to business, networking and career development for the industrial and mobile sectors we serve. DFA Media would like to thank all our exhibitors, contractors and visitors for their continued support during this period and we look forward to working with all our partners to deliver a safe and successful event in January.” 20 HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS March 2020 www.hpmag.co.uk Fluid Power & Systems, Air-Tech and co-located shows re-scheduled for 25 to 27 January 2021 The British Pump Manufacturer’s Association (BPMA) has had two of its E-Learning Training Courses endorsed by the Joint Industry Board for Plumbing Mechanical Engineering Services in England and Wales. JIB-PMES is an independent and neutral ‘not for profit’ organisation, which partners the CSCS Registration Scheme, a regulator and a service provider for employers and employees within the building industry. Participation in the activities and benefit schemes of the JIB for Plumbing Mechanical Engineering Services is open to: Members of the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors (APHC). Members of the Unite the Union (Unite). Members of National Federation of Builders (NFB) who employ operative plumbers and/or apprentice plumbers. Employers of operative plumbers and/or apprentice plumbers, who are not in membership with the APHC or the NFB. Operative plumbers in the employ of Public and Local Authorities. Operative plumbers not in membership of Unite but employed by participants of the JIB for PMES. As a CSCS scheme partner, JIB-PEMS provides Health & Safety Registration SmartCards (or Blue Cards as they are more commonly known) to operatives employed in plumbing and mechanical engineering services and related sectors. There are a wide range of disciplines and occupations covered by the scheme, but for those whose work includes the installation, servicing and maintenance of pumps, the registration classification for the appropriate Blue Card is ‘Pump Installation & Maintenance Fitter’. However, as there is no recognised National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) or Vocational Qualification (VQ) which specifically covers this job role, the qualification requirements for this occupation covers a range of third-party training courses. The two BPMA courses recommended for completion are: Introduction to Pumping Technology course (20 hours) Essentials of Pumping Technology course (90 hours) Gary Wilde, technical services manager at the BPMA, comments: “It is very pleasing for us to have two of our training courses endorsed by such a respected organisation, and to know that those installing or maintaining pumps with the building environment are being directed our way for their skills development. We look forward to training many more pump installation and maintenance fitters within the construction industry over the coming years.” JIB recommends BPMA training for pump installation and maintenance fitters