Introduction

The implementation of a programme for the management of a company's assets has never been so important now that we are more involved with the European market and, indeed, will be an integral part from 1992. Chief engineers, group engineers, works engineers, building services managers, premises managers - the list is never ending with respect to job title and designation. While the individual's title may change, the responsibilities rarely alter, in that, it is from the person in those positions upon whom the employer depends so much. Building premises, factories, production equipment, facilities, service utilities and local services must be maintained in the most sound, safe and economical way to ensure that the client or user is provided with the appropriate goods, materials and working environment, as all these fall within the remit of the engineering maintenance department.

In a constantly changing work environment, with the introduction of new techniques, work practices and legislation the engineering department must ensure that they maintain an adequate level of continuous educational training. Major changes include the wide implementation in construction, installation and service fields of BS 5750, BS EN ISO 9000 Series Quality assurance, the introduction of more specific legislation, codes of practice, guidance notes for health and safety, and the standards being introduced by such bodies as the British Standards Institute. All are to improve the end product, service, etc., but they place an additional demand on existing resources that cannot...