Electricity and Control November 2024

PLANT MAINTENANCE, TEST + MEASUREMENT

Streamlining shutdowns – outsourcing specialist skills

Shutdowns in the mining and petrochemical industries are complex, high-stakes operations that require meticulous planning and execution. Procuring specialised skills, managing remote workforces, and handling complex administrative tasks pose significant challenges. Jacques Maritz, National Sales & Service Manager at Quyn International Recruitment & Staffing Solutions says, to overcome these hurdles and ensure the success of shutdowns, many companies are turning to human capital outsourcing. Jacques Maritz, Quyn International Recruitment & Staffing Solutions.

B y working with specialised resource providers, or ganisations can gain access to a skilled workforce, streamline their operations, and enhance the overall efficiency and safety of the shutdown processes. Challenges in shutdown execution Mining and petrochemical companies rely on periodic shutdowns to ensure the optimal performance and safety of their operations. The shutdowns typically involve a com prehensive inspection, maintenance, and repair process for critical equipment. The primary goal is to prevent un planned equipment failures and subsequent production downtime. Shutdowns allow for in-depth assessments and refurbishment to prepare for future operations. Outsourcing shutdown activities to third-party OEMs and suppliers is a common practice. However, securing the necessary skilled workforce for these projects presents dif ferent challenges. The demand for specialised skills, cou pled with the often-remote locations of the operations, can make it difficult to assemble the required teams promptly. The human capital outsourcing solution Given the limited duration of a shutdown, it is necessary to bring in workers for a temporary period only, but the cost and administrative burden to the company can be over whelming. Human capital outsourcing is a practical solution to such challenges and here, specialised outsourcing pro

viders offer a strategic advantage by drawing from a pool of pre-qualified skilled workers. This approach accelerates the recruitment and placement processes, critical factors given the tight timelines of shutdown projects. Specialised outsourcing providers have extensive networks in the min ing and petrochemical industries, so they can quickly iden tify and deploy the skills sets required for specific roles, even in remote locations. As well as securing the required talent, human capital outsourcing providers offer comprehensive administrative support. Assuming responsibility for human resources, in dustrial relations, payroll, and compliance functions, they liberate internal teams to concentrate on core shutdown activities. This streamlined approach enhances operation al efficiency and yields substantial cost savings, by opti mising labour costs and reducing overhead expenses. It also mitigates the risk of errors and delays associated with managing complex HR processes during high-pressure periods, and alleviates the demands on the company’s own internal HR resources. Facilitated by outsourcing, the efficient execution of projects leads to reduced downtime, maximising produc tivity and ensuring project completion within budget. Be yond these immediate benefits, long-term partnerships with human capital outsourcing providers enable companies to cultivate a reliable workforce with in-depth knowledge of their operations, which allows organisations to use the same workers for multiple mining or petrochemical projects. In doing so, organisations can develop a culture of knowledge-sharing and continuous im provement, leading to enhanced performance and reduced downtime in future shutdowns. Human capital outsourcing offers a strategic solu tion for mining and petrochemical companies seeking to optimise shutdown operations. By providing ac cess to skilled talent, assuming end-to-end respon sibility for the management of resources required for the duration of the shutdown, and fostering long-term working relationships, outsourcing partners can en hance safety, efficiency, and overall operational per formance. □

Outsourcing specialist skills can make complex plant shutdowns more efficient and help save costs.

For more information visit: www.quyn.co.za

22 Electricity + Control NOVEMBER 2024