Volunteer Opportunities In Maintenance & Reliability

How Do You Pay It Forward?

Do Conferences Need Volunteers?

A primary opportunity for volunteering in the M&R community is at conferences. There are a significant number of conferences worldwide and the volunteer opportunities include presenting workshops and lectures, conference track leader, session chairs, and more. The organizations running these conferences define the requirements and responsibilities associated with the opportunities listed above.  Examples include:

• Workshops and Lectures: Submitting an idea and abstract writeup by a certain date ahead of the conference.  If the abstract is selected, then the workshop or lecture will need to be created and submitted for approval.  There will be required due dates posted on the conference website. Once everything is approved then all that is left to do is present the material.
• Conference Track Leaders: Conference organizations will decide on the subject areas that will be presented during the conference. Conference track leaders  coordinate the activities of the workshop and lecture leaders.  This includes reviewing the submitted presentation material and providing feedback to ensure the expected standards and content are met.
• Session Chairs: Session chairs are individuals who manage the presentations and workshops.  They brief the audience, introduce the speakers, keep everything on schedule, and ensure that survey/feedback material is completed and submitted.

Typically, volunteers receive a conference pass or reduction in cost to attend the event. All conferences have their own rules and requirements so check the information available on the conference website or reach out to the group hosting the event. Figure #1 shows a representative list of conferences available over the next 12 months. The actual file can be accessed in the Subscriber Bonus section of the newsletter under the conference information tab. This gives access to a more extensive conference list, website links and additional information.

Figure #1 - Conference List

How Can You Help Beyond Conferences?

Conferences are not the only volunteer avenue available to those hoping to find opportunities in the M&R field.  Examples of organizations needing volunteers beyond conference roles include:

• Plant Engineering and Maintenance Association of Canada (PEMAC)
• ReliabilityWeb
• Reliability Leadership Institute (RLI)
• Association of Asset Management Professional (AMP)
• Women in Reliability and Asset Management (WIRAM)
• ReliabilityX
• The Reliability Academy
• Life Cycle Engineering (LCE)
• Society of Maintenance and Reliability Professionals (SMRP)
• The Institute of Asset Management (IAM)
• The University of Tennessee Reliability & Maintenance Center

PEMAC has a volunteer page on their website - Volunteering at PEMAC | PEMAC. Figure #2 is a screenshot of PEMAC’s volunteer page on their website.

Available volunteer opportunities from these organizations include roles such as mentoring; proctoring; peer reviews; chapter liaison; developing best practices: chairing committees; participation in webinars; podcast creation; writing questions for exams and certifications; writing articles and case study papers; project specific work groups; and more. Time commitments will vary by opportunity from a few hours to over 100 hours per year depending on complexity.  Review organization websites or contact them directly for more information.

Organizations Focused On Expanding the M&R Workforce

In addition to industry specific opportunities, volunteers are needed in organizations that have a broader social impact.  Among the many that exist, there are two that I find important to highlight – SkillsUSA and Unturning Steel. 

• SkillsUSA is the #1 workforce development organization for students. They empower students to become skilled professionals, career-ready leaders and responsible community members. A vital solution to the ongoing skills gap, (more highly skilled jobs available than skilled professionals ready to fill them). Representing over 413,000 career and technical education students and teachers, SkillsUSA chapters thrive in middle schools, high schools and college/ postsecondary institutions nationwide. Their mission is accomplished through the SkillsUSA Framework of Personal Skills, Workplace Skills and Technical Skills. Grounded in academics and integrated into the classroom curriculum.

       SkillsUSA needs volunteers at the local, state, regional, and national levels. Additionally, they need help at

       their events which are held throughout the country.

• Unturning Steel (UTS) is a groundbreaking 501c3 non-profit that supports military service members as they transition to civilian life by providing job training, certifications, and work readiness in the M&R sector. Their mission is to combat veteran suicide and empower transitioning service members and revitalize the U.S. manufacturing workforce—one veteran, one opportunity, one community at a time. UTS works with government agencies, academic institutions, manufacturers, and professional societies to build scalable solutions that support veteran success and strengthen America’s manufacturing workforce.

        UTS is a newer entity and there are a variety of areas needing support.  They need businesses to provide job

        opportunities; trainers; mentors; and volunteers to spread the vision of the organization.

In addition to your time, SkillsUSA and UTS would benefit from financial support.

Why Volunteer?

Volunteering is an important step each of us can and should take. Why volunteering matters and what it can provide (2):

• Builds Community: It solves local problems and supports people in need.
• Teaching Skills: You gain experience and learn new things.
• Connects People: It brings together individuals who share a common goal.

Everyone is busy and there never seems to be enough time.  Find the time. Volunteering is a rewarding effort, can be done with family and friends, can lead to personal and professional growth, and is the right thing to do.  I encourage you to take the time and find the opportunities that appeal to you.  Take the first step and get started on a fulfilling journey.

References:

Note 1: International Labor Organization (ILO), Volunteer work, August 14, 2016

Note 2: Google AI search 8/31/26.   Various sources