WHO: Kristof Decock
WHAT: Behalen Eplan Certified Engineer
Everyone knows that 2020 was a very strange year. Coronavirus turned our daily lives upside down. Measures, lockdowns, working from home are all terms that can be associated with 2020.
I personally will always remember 2020 as the year I became an Eplan Certified Engineer.
Eplan P8 Electric is an electrical engineering and drawing platform that combines all the disciplines of an engineering assignment in a single package, from the electrical diagrams (single conductor or multi-conductor) to the switchbox layout. In addition, lots of data can be generated from the diagram pages, either as pages in the project, or as exports to be processed in another program, shortening the lead time and minimising the risk of errors.
As an E&I Designer, I already have a few years’ experience with Eplan. In my position as CAD Supervisor, I saw the need to further extend my knowledge of Eplan. The greatest need was definitely in the area of making standards, Eplan programming.
As they listen to every employee and the goals they aim to achieve in their professional lives, I ended up at the Eplan Certified Engineer certificate. So thanks to Stefanie and Fréderic, I was given the opportunity to follow the Eplan Certified Engineer course. The training policy at Dixon Engineering means that everyone can develop their potential in areas they’re interested in.
My experience meant that I did not have to follow the whole course. But no-one knew what level of knowledge I had. This was tested with a consultant from Eplan, and then a personalised course was drawn up. A good schedule was prepared and the necessary class days were planned.
Until the COVID-19 virus came along and turned our lives upside down. Luckily, the physical lessons were quickly converted to online classes. New problems brought new solutions, which were soon found.
The course consists of various parts, and in each case all the lessons were given online. For Eplan itself, giving lessons online was new, but everything went very smoothly. Some people claim that you have to give up on knowledge with online lessons, but let me tell you, that’s not true. The teaching method is very intensive, but there was a lot of motivation. You could ask questions and bring up problems, which were then resolved. You can read more about my experience with online lessons in this Eplan blog.
The course should not be underestimated, but with the necessary motivation everything is possible. Being able to apply knowledge you have just acquired has a great advantage. Despite my experience, I learnt a lot more and discovered all kinds of different ways of working.
To complete the course and obtain the certificate, I had to take an exam. This was the only part that could not be done online, so the exam took place in Reeuwijk, just north of Rotterdam.
During this two-day session, we were prepared for the theory exam. 50 questions in 50 minutes. We soon realised during a few mock exams that it would not be plain sailing. The level was very high and the time pressure makes it even harder. The pass rate wasn’t that high, either. But I managed to pass the exam and I’d done it. Getting successfully through a course of eight months’ intensive online training brings a sigh of relief.
Now I can hold the title of Eplan Certified Engineer for the next two years. A certificate that confirms my knowledge and experience of Eplan and I will be happy to share this knowledge with other people.
All this would not have been possible without the support of:
Fréderic Ledent, Manager Dixon Engineering
Stefanie Rotthier, HR Business Partner Dixon Engineering
Everyone at Eplan
My wife, Wendy, for her support, motivation and coffee throughout the course.
