SMRP 3

[zipthetrip]

I am a relativly new maintenance supervisor that has come up through the ranks using a wrench. I want to improve my skills and make myself more valuable to my employer as a supervisor and a manager. Has anybody ever heard of the society of maintenance and reliability professionals? If so, is certification worth the time and effort and the $$$. What difference will it make to any future employers and does anybody know any smrp certified people who I may speak with regarding this certification? Any help will be greatly appriciated. Thanks, zipthetrip........

 

[jsummerfield]

Professional Societies sell certifications. Perhaps a third-party certification is necessary if you work in the Nuclear Industry. However, there are certifications from ISA for instrument people, HR organizations for your personnel people, etc. I could accept that the HR types would really push these when hiring other HR types. Perhaps an auto-mechanic shop can market themselves better if they can advertise that all mechanics are certified.

If you are an airplane mechanic you must have a license from the FAA. This would be legitimate. If you have been servicing pumps and compressors for decades, I really doubt that any certification would be more helpful than a list of training classes attended.

But then I am just an engineer. I carried tools for a couple of years between school and my first engineering job. I was interested in certifications back then. I never chased such certifications. Only when Texas made a big deal about obtaining a PE license did I consider obtaining professional engineering registration. I did that.

John

 

[plasgears]

Go for the certs. You may learn a few things along the way. I did when I prepared for the PE. In my view it is equivalent to the bar exam, internship, and other qualifying experiences.

 

[nnjunger]

Having certification never hurts. It can only make you more marketable in todays job market, and as stated in an earlier response, you are bound to learn something new during the process. In addition, professional organizations can help your ability to network.

As far as SMRP in particular, I am a member, have received the certification packet, but have not taken the exam. This is because I have to find a venue for the exam close enough to my place of work in order to justify it, as my company won't pay for me to travel just for that, and I can't afford it on my own.