Rise in Online Inquiries about General Plant Maintenance - A Reflection of Decreasing On-Site Experts?

Question:

Hello everyone, I would like to initiate a conversation about a noticeable trend in the questions being asked on this board. This platform serves as a valuable source of expert knowledge on a wide range of technical topics, including not only preventive maintenance but also general plant maintenance. It appears that there is a rise in inquiries related to general maintenance on the board. Could this be attributed to the decreasing number of plant experts present on manufacturing sites? It is possible that individuals are now turning to online forums or other reliable resources for answers due to the lack of on-site expertise (retirements or layoffs). Do you view this shift as positive or negative? Have you observed this trend as well? Mike.

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It seems that many individuals are eager to share their expertise and insights with others.

It is highly probable that the workforce is going through a significant transition. With the baby-boomers, who have been a core part of the workforce, now retiring, there is a noticeable gap that will soon be filled by the larger baby-boom echo generation. This transition is expected to take place around the mid-point of the next decade. The shift in workforce demographics is not just leading to a loss of expertise but also contributing to a reduction in plant workers as companies adopt a 1980s management approach of cutting down headcounts. This situation is forcing the remaining employees to quickly address problems without much time for contemplation or group discussion. Furthermore, the emphasis on 'quick' training and a lack of mentorship, along with a reluctance to plan for future apprenticeships, are creating challenges within the workforce. Insights from recent workforce studies and a study conducted in collaboration with Reliability Web shed light on these issues. Attached is the full report for your review, and I am eager to discuss the findings and recommendations. Best regards, Howard. Attachment(s): Skilled_Workforce_in_the_21st_Century.pdf File size: 463 KB Version: 1

The industry has a high demand for skilled workers, and we are actively involved in addressing this need. This presents a great opportunity for individuals seeking employment. The Center for the Advancement of Process Technology (CAPT), based in Texas City, is a national collaboration between the education sector and industry that promotes the advancement of process technology. Currently, CAPT has nine regional alliances spanning 18 states in the US and Alaska, with 47 community and technical colleges participating to support BP facilities nationwide. Key alliances include the Alaska Process Industries Careers Consortium (APICC) and the Great Lakes Process Technology Alliance (GLPTA), which was established in 2005 and serves multiple states and Ontario. Another alliance is in the works for the Southeastern US. The process technology training initiative dates back to 1993 when BP and seven chemical companies in Texas City launched the PTEC program at College of the Mainland. The success of this program led to the formation of CAPT's first alliance, the Gulf Coast Process Technology Alliance (GCPTA), in 1995. The curriculum is designed to closely align with the skills required for these roles, resulting in graduates outperforming industry averages and demonstrating a 37% better safety performance in their first two years of employment.Contributions from the National Science Foundation, the US Department of Education, and the US Department of Labor have been crucial in creating instructor manuals, student textbooks, and other materials to support the training initiative.

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When it comes to making decisions, the involvement of the government is crucial in most regions. However, I believe that the desires of the market, rather than government officials or bureaucrats, should play a pivotal role in determining outcomes. Deciding what society truly requires can be a complex matter. The question of who gets to define these needs – you or me – remains at the heart of this debate.

Hi Mike, that's an insightful observation. While it's unfortunate to see a decline in on-site expertise, the rise in online inquiries could be a silver lining in that it fosters knowledge-sharing. I think this shift can be both positive and negative. On the positive end, it propels individuals to proactively seek knowledge and provides an archival of troubleshooting advice which can be very beneficial. On the other hand, the lack of immediate on-site expert resolution could potentially lead to delays in problem-solving and a risk of misinformation if advice is taken from an unreliable source. Also, nuances related to specific equipment or facilities could be missed in an online discussion. Balancing these two sources of expertise might be the most effective approach.

Hey Mike, great point! You've touched on an interesting shift, indeed. I see it as a double-edged sword. On one hand, it's unfortunate that skilled experts are less available on-site due to retirement or restructuring. On-site experts can often provide quick solutions and face-to-face education that online forums simply can't match. On the other hand, having an increase in traffic on this platform indicates that individuals are adapting and seeking knowledge actively, which is a remarkably positive thing. Additionally, this opens up potential for wider, more diverse input and learning. Given that, the change is not entirely negative, it just emphasizes the need for a balance between on-site expertise and online resource availability.

Hi Mike, you raise an interesting point and it's certainly a trend I've noticed too. The decrease in on-site plant experts could indeed be pushing people to seek knowledge online. While it's unfortunate that expertise might be dwindling in the field due to retirements and layoffs, it isn't necessarily a negative shift. Online forums like ours are democratizing access to expertise, allowing anyone, anywhere to tap into shared knowledge. It's also possible that this shift might actually stimulate interest and encourage more people to enter the field. After all, learning is more accessible than ever before.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

FAQ: 1. Why is there a rise in online inquiries about general plant maintenance?

Answer: Answer: The increase in online inquiries could be attributed to a decreasing number of plant experts present on manufacturing sites, leading individuals to seek answers from online forums or other resources due to the lack of on-site expertise.

FAQ: 2. Is the shift towards seeking maintenance advice online viewed as positive or negative?

Answer: Answer: The perception of this shift as positive or negative may vary among individuals. Some may see it as a positive way to access expert knowledge, while others may view it negatively due to potential limitations of online advice compared to on-site expertise.

FAQ: 3. Have others observed a similar trend of increasing inquiries about general plant maintenance?

Answer: Answer: The trend of rising inquiries about general plant maintenance on online platforms may be observed by others as well, reflecting a potential shift in where individuals seek technical expertise and guidance.

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