The Sales Director of Aliva Equipment and President of EFNARC, Max Eckstein talks in this interview about the origins and path of EFNARC to become a reliable provider for concrete spraying equipment operator certification and a trusted reference for underground construction literature.
Eckstein has worked in construction equipment manufacturing for more than 25 years, from tunnelling to mining and infrastructure. During his time as a president EFNARC has focused on perfecting and digitalizing its Nozzleman Certification Scheme and providing valuable guidelines, best practices and recipes for the industry.
Working together to set the bar higher
Founded in 1989, EFNARC was born out of the need to unify the criteria of the main companies and experts in the construction industry and make their knowledge accessible to the public. They were competitors, but they knew that the decision to establish and promote quality and safety standards was beneficial to everyone. “It was a very personal approach, people who really had a lot of experience in this field just started to write”, says Eckstein about the methodology when the organization was born.
Originally a European organisation, EFNARC now comprises contractors, manufacturers, raw material suppliers and consultants in the specialised construction and concrete systems industry from Europe, Asia, Australasia and Latin America. It used to be based in England but its headquarters are now in Switzerland.
Some overlapping of functions between EFNARC and the International Tunnelling Association (ITA) in the 2000s opened the way for other lines of action. There was a strong need in the market for sprayed concrete certification and EFNARC saw this as an opportunity. In 2009, it launched its Nozzleman Certification Scheme, now its core activity.
Currently ITA endorses EFNARC’s scheme and both organisations work together as partners in complementing fields.
Other current activities are promoting the interests of its members and the industry in the field of specialised construction and concrete systems, in particular when it comes to sprayed concrete solutions. EFNARC is also a forum for exchange of information between its members and cooperation with European and international organisations, and the three main priorities are safety, quality and sustainability.
The value of generating expertise
What's the use of focusing on the right characteristics of the concrete if it cannot be properly applied? This question is at the centre of the change that EFNARC undertook more than 10 years ago and that puts expertise at the centre of the value chain. “I already have the recipe, but if the cook doesn’t know how to bake it then he is going to burn it”, says Eckstein.
The president of the organisation explains that their role is not to create a training centre for nozzleman. “We define how the training process needs to be done, seek feedback from the professionals and verify they know everything we ask them to know”, he says.
Then, trained examiners impart the courses on the field, in the country where they live, and provide EFNARC with the necessary documentation so they can issue a certification. An example of a place where courses can be taken is the Hagerbach Test Gallery in Switzerland, imparted by the International Centre for Geothecnis and Underground Construction (CUC).
To answer the needs of the market, nozzlemen can currently obtain two certificates:
C2 Certificate for both novice and experienced operators imparted at numerous locations around the world by EFNARC certified examiners, consisting of shotcrete theory basics and practical training using VR Technology.
Examiner certificate: an assessment and accreditation program (not a training course) run by the International Centre for Geotechnics and Underground Construction (CUC) on behalf of EFNARC. Requires three years of experience.
Leading the change in regulations and sprayed concrete certification
EFNARC Executive committee is composed of six members, including the President, Treasurer and Nozzleman Scheme Administration, who are chosen by the members. They meet at least twice a year to discuss key topics for the industry.
At the same time, there are four focus groups composed of specialised professionals to work on guidelines, best practices or technical specifications on fibres, mining or nozzlemen certification, amongst other topics.
In many cases, the guidelines produced by EFNARC during its more than 30 years of history became European regulation, and they serve as vital reference for countries with less experience, so this is an important part of the work in the organisation. EFNARC literature is also used by universities and other educational organisations across the globe.
On the other hand, EFNARC certifies professionals every year under its flagship Nozzleman Certification Scheme. “The focus of the industry is not only the quality but ensuring people’s safety. Safety starts with the one who applies the shotcrete and extends to anyone who then walks below the structures you have created”, says Eckstein.
Agility and modernisation to stay at the forefront of change
Eckstein sees the future of EFNARC as a modern, global certification provider who is able to respond quickly to the changes in the industry and technology. The intention is to keep leading the digital transformation in the market to reach and verify professionals anywhere in the world.
The organisation wants to increase the speed in which knowledge about specialised construction and concrete systems is shared. The expertise of the main players in the industry and the manageable size of the organization make it possible.
Collaborate with EFNARC
If you are interested in becoming a member of EFNARC or applying for any of the Nozzleman Certification Scheme courses you can contact the organisation through our webpage or by telephone to reach our Secretary, Beatrice Jauch. She will be able to put you in contact with your local trained examiner if needed. The available dates for all courses will soon be published on our website, too.
Our next Examiner certification will take place at Hagerbach Test Gallery in Switzerland from September 20th to 22nd, 2022.
Please join us at the World Tunnel Congress from September 2nd to 8th, 2022 in Copenhagen, Denmark and check out our courses and certifications here.
