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About the FPEF KEY POST SECONDARY SCHOOL program
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The applicant school must provide evidence of a fluid power educational
program. Documentation in the form of curriculum sheets, catalogs,
brochures must be presented to support the existence of either
a "stand-alone" fluid power technology department or
courses in fluid power as parts of other programs or departments.
At an instructional level, the program offered should include,
at a minimum each of the following:
 | An introduction to hydraulics, pneumatics, or a combined introduction
to hydraulics and pneumatics. |
| Coverage of the operation of hydraulic components, pneumatic
components or a combined hydraulics and pneumatics components
and their application in circuits. |
| A class in electrical control of hydraulic or pneumatic components
in circuits. |
| Coverage of the computer control of hydraulic or pneumatic
components in circuits. |
The applicant school must continuously provide a minimum of two
separate courses from the above list in each academic year.
The applicant school must have evidence of material support in
the form of appropriate classrooms and laboratory space to support
the program and budget consideration for the program, including
full-time staff.
Appointment as a Key School will be re-appraised every three years.
Commitment 
The applicant school must provide a “Commitment Statement", found
as part of "The
Key School Application", signed by the chief operating officer of the institution. This
statement indicates the commitment and support of the resources necessary to
meet the minimum requirements for key school consideration, listed above.
Benefits of Key School Status
| Key schools have access to information from a network of over
25 other key schools across the nation. |
| Key schools have access to hardware and software specific
to the fluid power industry. |
| Scholarships are provided for students enrolled in fluid power
courses. |
| Students, instructors and schools have exposure to the leading
edge of fluid power technology. Curriculum design assistance is
provided. |
| A "Contacts and Resumes" program assists in placement
of fluid power trained students. |
| Listing as a Fluid Power Key School is promoted as a program
recruitment tool with colorful "Careers" brochures provided
to the school at no charge. |
| The instructor can access a Clearinghouse project that matches
equipment needs of key schools with industry surplus. |
| Introductions to appropriate local manufacturer and distributor
business contacts can be expedited. |
Cooperation with fluid power industry associations such as American
Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), The Fluid Power Society
(FPS), the Fluid Power Distributors Association (FPDA) and the
National Fluid Power Association (NFPA) is facilitated through
the FPEF Board of Trustees. |
