Biography & Expertise
About Me - Instrumentation & Control Systems Instructor
My Biography
My name is Jeff Sharman and I am an Instrumentation and Control Systems Instructor with over 20 years of experience working across industrial automation, commissioning and maintenance projects. I was born in the UK and educated in Chesterfield, Derbyshire before moving to South Africa in 1981. Over the years I have worked on many different projects which have covered automation, commissioning and maintenance. This has included work in the UK, work on several Sasol units here in South Africa, and later on projects across Africa and the Middle East. It has been a long journey and I have enjoyed every minute of it.
My Work Across Different Countries
My training and project work has taken me to many parts of the world. I have carried out work and conducted training in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Eritrea, Nigeria, Ghana, Mali and Mozambique, as well as in the Middle East in places such as Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait. I have also spent time in Europe and Egypt. I have been fortunate to work with many engineers, technicians and maintenance staff across these regions and to share knowledge that can help them in their daily work. Travelling has never been an issue for me and if your organisation needs training anywhere in the world, I am always willing to accommodate that.
Students & Companies Globally
Companies and Teams I Have Trained
Over the years, many organisations have asked me to train their staff. These include large manufacturing operations as well as major mining and energy companies across Africa and the Middle East. I have trained staff at several Sasol plants here in South Africa and have worked with teams in countries such as Nigeria, Eritrea, Botswana and Ghana. My work as an Instrumentation and Control Systems InstructoR includeS practical PLC, HMI and Control Systems training, helping teams understand their own equipment and working through real problems they face on site. I have also been involved in commissioning support and troubleshooting to help improve the way their systems are set up. When people understand how these systems work, they become more confident and more effective in their roles.
Projects I Have Worked On
In addition to training, I have been involved in many real automation projects over the years. This includes work on process plants in Eritrea and Nigeria, as well as long-term commissioning assignments within the Sasol group and other operations across South Africa. I also completed work in Nigeria for Rockwell USA on a power management system for a gas-to-liquid project at Escravos. Spending time on site with the actual equipment teaches you very quickly what works and what does not. So when I explain something, I explain it the way I have used it myself in real situations, not just from a manual.
Areas of My Expertise
My Knowledge
Over the years, I have developed deep practical knowledge in:
- PLC Training: Studio 5000 (Basic, Advanced, FBD, SFC)
- FactoryTalk View SE & ME development
- PLC5 and SLC500
- Instrumentation and Control Systems
- Ethernet Networks and Industrial Communication
- Siemens TIA Portal and WinCC
- Troubleshooting, maintenance and real-world control applications
Why I Continue Teaching
I believe that Knowledge should be shared. Today there is a huge demand for people who understand Automation and Control, and anyone who builds these skills becomes far more valuable in the workplace and to their company. When you know how these systems work you feel confident, you work better, and you open the door to many new opportunities. This is why I continue to train. If I can help someone develop skills that make them more in demand then I feel I have done my job. Remember, Knowledge is Power and passing on that Knowledge keeps me going.
My Purpose
Looking to Upskill Yourself or Train Your Staff in PLCs and Automation?
Enquire About Training
I am here to guide you. You can request On-Site Training for your team, or book a 1-on-1 session where we work through the exercises together at a steady pace.
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