First day? Information, please!
Dr. Ken Hope, STLE President | TLT President's Report February 2022
Make sure you have everything you need to get the job done right.
Education is one of the many benefits that is available to STLE members and also is a key feature in STLE’s offerings.
So, let’s say you are starting out on a new project. Good planning is highly recommended, and, to that effect, we should always equip ourselves for the task at hand. I like to do woodworking as a hobby, and it is always better to make sure I have everything needed for the job before I begin. That way, it minimizes interruptions and extra trips for supplies. Of course, I don’t always follow my own advice, and I end up making several trips anyway (perhaps the extra steps in those trips will contribute to physical fitness!). The bottom line here is to have what we need to get the job done right. Case in point, new hires or people new to the field of tribology and lubrication may not have received relevant training to our field in school. There are some schools that have tribology coursework, but many in our field need to learn as they go. Wouldn’t it be great if there was a place they could tap into a great source that has what they will need?
There are many ways people can become educated in tribology and lubrication engineering through STLE resources. There are webinars, in-person courses and online courses—to name a few. Education also is offered through STLE Local Sections or at the STLE Annual Meeting & Exhibition. Many specific topic areas are covered. The STLE E-Newsletter and
www.stle.org are great places to find out about what is coming up next. For instance, Feb. 22-24, there is a Metalworking Fluid Management Program in Indianapolis, Ind., and there’s a Lubrication Fundamentals Webinar Bundle that is being offered for purchase online. There are, of course, many benefits to being an STLE member, but you don’t have to be a member to attend this program or purchase this bundle. As an STLE member, you will receive discounted rates, though! There also is the STLE Learning Pathways at
www.stle.org that provides a roadmap guide toward increasing knowledge and also helps when working toward certification—and STLE members get more content! Speaking of certification, you also can take the certification tests online now. So, there are many options to take advantage of.
Education is one of the many benefits that is available to STLE members and also is a key feature in STLE’s offerings. The body of knowledge in the STLE Learning Pathways has been collected and peer-reviewed by experts in the field. This also offers different levels of basic, intermediate and advanced expertise levels. So, hone your skills, equip your team members that are new to the field or choose to contribute and share your knowledge. We all have a part to play, but make sure you have the right tools and skills. To find out more, please go to
www.stle.org.
Dr. Ken Hope, CLS, is global PAO technical services manager for Chevron Phillips Chemical in The Woodlands, Texas. You can reach him at ken.hope@cpchem.com.