Who Should Attend ARP Advocate (ARP A)?
No reliability improvement initiative can be successful unless everyone is on the same page. Everyone needs to pull in the same direction. Everyone needs to share the same understanding of the issues, benefits, and remedies. And everyone must be inspired to contribute, support activities intended to improve reliability and performance, and look for opportunities to make improvements. This is the way to create the “culture of reliability”.
The Asset Reliability Practitioner Advocate (ARP-A) “Plant-wide Awareness” is intended for everyone working within an organization who in any way influences the management, design, engineering, procurement, maintenance, or operation of an organization that involves critical rotating machinery and electrical equipment.
The Asset Reliability Practitioner Advocate (ARP-A) “Manager/Engineer Awareness” is intended for senior management, maintenance and operations/production management, engineers, junior reliability engineers, and condition monitoring professionals who need to understand the “big picture” of the reliability and performance improvement process.
ARP Advocate Course Highlights
- Independent training focused purely on skills, not sales literature
- MIBoC certified partner conforming to ISO/IEC 17024
- Professional instructors delivering practical, hands-on training
- Course content focused on real-world ARP reliability issues
- In-person courses include the ARP Trilogy books
- Role specific focus: advocates, engineers and leaders
- Flexible in-person, virtual, and self-paced study options available
- Ongoing support available via email, chatbot, or telephone
- Same-day custom quotation via the enquiry form above
- Easy-to-navigate Training Brochure available for offline reading
- Downloadable PDF version of the current Training Schedule
- Simple booking process using the PDF Registration Form
ARP Advocate Public Courses 2026
📅 Public Courses to be announced | Novotel, Worsley, Manchester | Instructor: Tom Murphy
ARP A Course Details & Examinations
- The course begins with a summary of why reliability improvement is so important to the future of an organization. But then it busts the myths associated with reliability improvement and asset management; there are so many misunderstandings in the industry that it is essential to get everyone on the same page so you avoid the common traps.
Next, we provide an overview of the implementation process: how to get started, how to gain senior management support, how to change the reliability culture so behaviors change, how to break out of the reactive maintenance cycle of doom, and how to establish a sustainable reliability improvement initiative. If you already have a program, you will learn how to assess its progress and re-focus and re-energize your program. - More than one day is spent on the common technical elements of reliability improvement. You will feel comfortable with defect elimination, the asset strategy (including Reliability Centered Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance Optimization, and Failure Modes, Effects, and Criticality Analysis), the asset criticality ranking, Pareto analysis, precision maintenance, and asset care, operator driven reliability, condition-based maintenance and all of the common technologies, lubrication best practices and contamination control, precision shaft alignment and rotor balancing, and root cause analysis.
- Between the discussions, lessons, case studies, and polling (so you can make sure you understand what you think you understood), you will come away with a totally new perspective on how to improve reliability and performance in your organization.
Which Study Options For ARP Advocate?
Public hotel-based
Pre-course preparation
- Mobius Institute, Learning Portal registration.
- Login details are sent by email (three to five working days).
- Learning Portal gives access to pre-study course materials.
- Printed course materials are given out on the first day.
- All course dates must be attended at the times agreed.
- 4 days for Advocate, 5 Days for Engineer and Leader.
Technology requirements
All technology is provided.
Daily program
The training starts at 9 am on the first day and 8:30 am on subsequent days. We aim to finish before 5 pm. Morning coffee, afternoon tea and lunch are provided on each day. Hotels fees are not included.
Awarding bodies
- MIBoC exams can also be taken Online.
Examinations and results
Advocate: 2 hrs (multi-choice. 60 Q’s. Closed book. Pass: 70%).
Engineer: 3 hrs (multi-choice. 100 Q’s. Closed book. Pass: 70%).
Leader: 3 hrs (multi-choice. 100 Q’s. Closed book. Pass: 70%).
Results/Certifications will be sent within 3-4 weeks.
ARP Advocate Study Options Include
| Hotel-based | Self-paced | Virtual / Hybrid | Onsite private | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Face to face | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Online course | No | Yes | No | No |
| *Study Community | No | Yes | No | No |
| Pre-study content | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| **Printed materials | Yes | Optional | Yes | Yes |
| Examination | BINDT or MIBoC | MIBoC | BINDT or MIBoC | BINDT or MIBoC |
| Support team | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
* Community on Microsoft Teams. Course Manual available in digital format; four months access is included.
** Course manual, VA Wall Chart, Reference Guide, Mobius pen, Notebook, Key-fob, USB Stick.
Who Is The ARP Advocate Instructor?
Tom Murphy is as an approved trainer for both the British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing (BINDT) and Mobius Institute ISO-18436-8 accreditation programmes. Tom has trained hundreds of Reliability students over the past 25+ years.
ARP Advocate Supporting Instructor
Dean Whittle is a approved by both the British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing (BINDT) and Mobius Institute ISO-18436-8 accreditation programmes. Dean has trained 1000’s of students over the past 25+ years, and is the founder of RMS Reliability Training Institute.
ARP Advocate Instructors In Detail Tom Murphy graduated from the University of Salford in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree in Electroacoustics, beginning a career grounded in understanding how physical phenomena translate into meaningful information about asset condition and performance. His professional journey progressed through vibration measurement, thermography, and ultrasound, giving him a broad, practical perspective on how assets fail and how different condition monitoring technologies contribute to reliability improvement. Through more than two decades of field application and instruction, Tom developed a strong appreciation that sustainable reliability is achieved not through individual technologies alone, but through structured programmes, informed decision-making, and organisational alignment. As an ARP Advocate instructor, Tom brings this cross-disciplinary experience to help professionals understand the business value of reliability, the role of condition monitoring within asset management strategies, and how effective reliability programmes reduce risk, improve performance, and deliver measurable outcomes. His teaching style emphasises clarity, real-world examples, and practical insight, enabling participants to confidently advocate for reliability principles within their organisations. Dean Whittle has held various roles in electro/mechanical engineering ranging a five-year apprenticeship through various shop floor/field services roles to district manager for a world-leading supplier of Reliability-Based and Condition-Based Maintenance products and services. During the past 33 years he has been committed to implementing plant reliability and condition monitoring improvement programs throughout UK industry; covering power, paper, petro-chemical, pharmaceutical, automotive, quarries, film/plastic, food, electronic, service and engineering manufacturing industries. Dean shares his expertise as an approved trainer for both the British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing (BINDT) and Mobius Institute ISO-18436 accreditation programmes, as an active member in a number of accredited institutes and committees, and as a speaker at industry conferences.
ARP Advocate – Resources
More about Online Learning We are pleased to offer the following online training courses and learning solutions that include community-based digital support and personal instructor mentoring. You can learn at your own pace, with assistance from an instructor, and optionally take the exam at the end of the course. If the high cost of travel and accommodation, and the time away from your family and work has stopped you from receiving the training that you need, then you should consider our distance learning courses. At a time that is convenient to you, and at a pace that works best for you, you can take our lessons and learn in a very similar way to attendees of our classroom courses. Depending upon the course, you can either view fully narrated slides, or you can watch a video of the class in action. Utilizing the popular iLearnVibration and iLearnAlignment products, we offer distance learning courses where you can view the lessons at your own page, in your own time, and get assistance from an instructor when any questions arise. Of course, you can just buy the products and learn at your own pace without assistance, but you are sure to benefit from interaction with the instructor. In certain courses, you can also interact with other students. These are not noisy, unprofessional videos taken from actual classrooms, each video was carefully created and edited so that you receive the full benefit. As you can see in this sample, you see the instructor talking and you see the slides (and simulators) being used in high resolution. All you need is a good Internet connection and a good monitor (1024×768 or better) and you will be ready to start learning. You can pause and rewind the video so that you can see and hear the instructor cover the topic again. In addition to the lessons, hands-on videos are presented where a variety of vibration analyzers are used to perform a range of tests. The tests include demonstrations of averaging (linear, rms, and peak hold), bump tests, run up and coast down tests, simple ODS tests, bearing fault detection tests, phase analysis, live spectrum analysis, time waveform analysis, and more. You can also perform activities defined by the instructor, and take quizzes that will be reviewed by the instructor. This is a great way to learn. The convenience of learning from home, and the reduced costs associated with travel, meals and accommodation make this a very attractive option – especially while the world’s economy is still recovering. Terms and Conditions We would assume that as the course and exam are delivered in English, your level of spoken and written English is sufficient for you to be able to attend the course and take the exam. If English is not your first language we can apply for extra time in advance of the course. Please notify us as soon as possible if there is any other reason why you need extra time in the exam (eg. Dyslexia), so we can see if we can arrange extra time for you in the exam. The exam body will need to be contacted to arrange this. Prices listed are exclusive of UK VAT, currently at 20%. This applies to all training courses conducted in the UK. Please contact the Training team on +44 (0)1206 791917 if you have any queries. Wendy Whittle Training Team COVID-19 Liability Waiver “I understand that by placing a booking this release discharges RMS Reliability Training Institute from any liability” I acknowledge the contagious nature of the Coronavirus/COVID-19 and that the CDC and many other public health authorities still recommend practicing social distancing. I further acknowledge that the RMS Reliability Training Institute has put in place preventative measures to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus/COVID-19. I further acknowledge that RMS Reliability Training Institute can not guarantee that I will not become infected with the Coronavirus/Covid-19. I understand that the risk of becoming exposed to and/or infected by the Coronavirus/COVID-19 may result from the actions, omissions, or negligence of myself and others, including, but not limited to, training staff, and other training clients and their families. I voluntarily seek services provided by RMS Reliability Training Institute and acknowledge that I am increasing my risk to exposure to the Coronavirus/COVID-19. I acknowledge that I must comply with all set procedures to reduce the spread while attending my training course. I attest that: I hereby release and agree to hold RMS Reliability Training Institute harmless from, and waive on behalf of myself, my heirs, and any personal representatives any and all causes of action, claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses and compensation for damage or loss to myself and/or property that may be caused by any act, or failure to act of the company, or that may otherwise arise in any way in connection with any services received from RMS Reliability Training Institute. I understand that by ‘placing a booking’ this release discharges RMS Reliability Training Institute from any liability or claim that I, my heirs, or any personal representatives may have against the company with respect to any bodily injury, illness, death, medical treatment, or property damage that may arise from, or in connection to, any services received from RMS Reliability Training Institute. This liability waiver and release extends to all owners, partners, and employees.What can I study online?
Distance learning benefits
Narrated slides
Video lessons
Updated (28/04/2023)
Languages
Pricing & VAT
Training Coordinator
[email protected]General enquiries
[email protected]
ARP Advocate – FAQs
For distance learning courses can the examination be taken online?
MIBoC examinations can be taken as part of an Instructor-led course. Self-paced online courses are currently MIBoC only. Full details can be found here.
What is the price of a ARP Advocate course?
To receive a custom quotation complete the short form above. The training team strives to provide quotations within one working day. More information about the other ARP roles can be found on the ARP Courses page.
Do I need prior experience to attend ARP Advocate course?
No prior experience is required to attend the course. ARP Advocate is focused for those supporting the organisation outside of key technical roles like technicians, engineers, and maintenance personnel. To be eligible for the exam, 6 months of practical experience is required.
How long is the ARP Advocate course?
Instructor-led ARP Advocate courses run for four consecutive days. Self-paced online study options are also available, allowing students to progress at their own pace while meeting the same certification requirements.
What format is the ARP Advocate examination?
The ARP Advocate examination is a multiple-choice exam aligned with ISO/IEC 17024. It assesses understanding of Asset reliability fundamentals for those advocating organisation wide improvements.
How should I prepare before attending the course?
We recommend spending time reviewing the ARP Advocate pre-course materials, although no mandatory pre-study is required. Access to preparatory learning materials are provided prior to the course, depending on the study option selected.
What qualification can I progress to after ARP Advocate?
After completing ARP Advocate and gaining the required practical experience, students tend not progress in the topic of Reliability as the core focus with ARP is role based.
Pre-study: Real-world Case Examples
More ARP Advocate Questions?
Last updated: 13th March 2026
Adrian P –
The online course includes an easy to navigate learning environment. I especially enjoyed the short quizzes. Thanks to Tom & Dean for the community support.