The latest water solutions would go nowhere without the correct training. South Africa cannot afford to pour money into good technology without backing that technology up with skills.

Ensuring that people who operate their pumps are in the know, KSB Pumps and Valves has invested in a specialised training centre designed to equip internal and branch staff, as well as certified partners, with in-depth knowledge of KSB products and systems. Clients are also catered for with the provision of first-line maintenance and operator training

According to Craig Hawkins, who heads up the SupremeServ Academy, the initiative was started due to the growing need for skills development across KSB’s service value chain, particularly in support of the company’s broad pump portfolio.

“Our academy is designed to arm our people and partners with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully repair, maintain, install and fault-find KSB products and related equipment. It also aims to ensure that end-users are educated in how to operate our pumps efficiently and reliably,” says Craig.

He explains that the training offered at the SupremeServ Academy has been created to suit a wide audience, including artisans, technicians, engineers, sales teams, certified service partners and clients. It encompasses over 280 training modules, covering everything from basic pump theory, pump selection and industry-specific applications to model-specific maintenance, value-added products like Pump-Guard and even site installation and set-up simulation training.

These modules vary in duration, ranging from one-day sessions to week-long courses and offer a blend of theoretical and interactive content depending on the needs of participants. While the Academy is currently not a profit-generating centre, course costs are structured to cover facilitator fees, training materials and related travel or accommodation expenses, particularly when sessions are delivered off-site.

“Knowledge is power, and by completing our courses our staff improve their skillsets and meet personal development goals. Certification also assures our clients that our work is being carried out by qualified professionals,” adds Craig.

He continues that training is mainly held at the company’s Jet Park-based facility, where a well-equipped lecture room accommodates up to 16 participants. The room features a Clevertouch screen, individual workstations, display models of pumps, components and amenities including tea, coffee and light meals.

Although still in its early stages, the academy has already hosted several successful courses, including SAPMA’s advanced pump training and API standards overview. Upcoming sessions designed for specific industry personnel, such as for boiler water circulating pumps for our energy partners, are already scheduled.

Phase two of the Academy, which is currently underway, will include a dedicated practical workshop at KSB’s SupremeServ Jet Park centre, allowing for hands-on training and product familiarisation. These sessions are tailored to needs and will also benefit field service teams who support critical installations such as power stations, water reticulation, the petrochemical, paper industry, as well as other industry sectors.

Internal training is co-ordinated through department heads, while its clients typically make contact via sales or contracts/projects teams, or directly through SupremeServ.