Repair, Skills, and Trust Are Powering a Sustainable Future

As I sit in my office watching the autumn colours return to the trees outside, I’m reminded how cyclical everything is. Each year brings its own challenges and opportunities, and in many ways our industry mirrors the seasons — constantly renewing, adapting, and growing stronger.

At this time of year, I often find myself reflecting on what really matters to the sectors we serve. For me, it always comes back to the same thing: the people and organisations who quietly keep industry running. I see, every day, the commitment of our members — engineers who take worn or damaged equipment and bring it back to life. Their work doesn’t always make headlines, but it underpins everything from power generation to water supply. It’s a sector built on reliability, craftsmanship, and trust.

I believe that repair and refurbishment have a far greater role to play in our sustainability journey than they’re often given credit for. The race to net zero rightly prioritises efficiency and innovation, but it can sometimes overlook the environmental value of keeping what we already have in service for longer. When I visit member workshops, I’m always struck by the skill involved in restoring a machine to its original performance. The AEMT/ EASA Rewind Study showed that, when done correctly, a repaired motor can be every bit as efficient as a new one. Each time a machine is repaired rather than replaced, we avoid the hidden carbon cost of manufacturing anew — a quiet but significant contribution to sustainability.

That principle of giving equipment a second life lies at the heart of a more circular and responsible industrial culture. It’s about valuing the materials and craftsmanship that already exist, and recognising that progress often begins with preservation.

This belief is what underpins much of the work my colleagues and I have done this year in developing the AEMT Codes of Practice Verification Scheme, which will launch in 2026. The scheme will
allow repair facilities to be independently verified against the AEMT’s established Codes of Practice, giving equipment owners confidence that their assets are being handled safely, competently, and to the highest professional standards.

I see this as an important step forward. Our industry relies on trust between asset owners, service providers, and operators, and verification makes that trust visible. It shows that AEMT members don’t simply claim to meet best practice — they demonstrate it.

Another issue close to my heart is the growing shortage of skilled people entering our trade. I hear this concern from members across the UK and overseas — experienced technicians are retiring, and too few young people are coming through to replace them. I believe the future strength of our industry depends on how well we address this. The AEMT is working with members to explore how existing apprenticeship frameworks can better reflect the work our sector does — rewinds, repairs, testing, and diagnostics. My hope is that we can make these pathways clearer and more accessible so that young people see the pride and purpose that come with this work.

When I visit training centres or meet apprentices, I’m reminded how rewarding it is to see that spark of interest — the moment someone realises that what they’re doing keeps industry moving. It’s a feeling many of us share from our early careers, and one I’d like to see rekindled in the next generation.

As the year draws to a close, I feel optimistic about where we’re heading. Our verification work, sustainability partnerships, and renewed focus on skills are all part of a wider effort to ensure that the AEMT continues to support both its members and the industries that rely on them. Repair and refurbishment may not always sound glamorous, but they represent some of the most practical and powerful ways to build a sustainable future.

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This article appeared in Renew magazine. To read more or request your personal digital or print edition of Renew, click here.