Training and approval of welders - best practice in action

By Colin Eileens

Section 1. Introduction and Contents

Introduction

Training and approval of welders - best practice in action is a practical reference guide which looks at the key issues and main concepts central to the design and implementation of successful training and approval-test programmes for welders.

The guide's purpose is to -

  • demonstrate best practice principles in the planning and structuring of welder training

  • show systematically designed routes for training and qualification of welders which meet the needs of wide-ranging industrial applications

  • provide an overview of TWI's welder training services

The guide will help personnel from a variety of job functions, including:

  • senior management
  • managers involved in maintenance and repair
  • training managers
  • mechanical engineers and welding engineers
  • production and QA engineers
  • supervisors
  • welders at all levels

The need for welder training and approval may be triggered by a variety of factors but typically stems from a requirement within an organisation for -

  • new weld procedure development and approval
  • welder approval to nationally and internationally recognised standards
  • demonstrating the practical competence of welders to accommodate product welding applications
  • improved weld quality with a minimum level of workmanship, reduced over-welding, less distortion
  • multi-skilling, so that a greater variety of work may be entrusted to individual welders
  • compliance with legislation, i.e. Pressure Equipment Directive (PED) - see below
  • promotion of the company's (or welders') credibility
  • achieving increased output from individual welders

In addition, from May 2002 it will be mandatory for all manufacturers of pressure equipment to comply with the Pressure Equipment Directive (PED). TWI provides a range of support services to help companies gain the necessary weld procedure and welder approvals, for example:

  • assistance in determining the Range of Approvals to minimise the number of approval tests
  • technical and practical assistance to develop weld procedures
  • comprehensive welder training to coincide with approvals
  • access to the UKAS Approved Test House at Abington for fast turnaround of results
  • a flexible service at TWI Abington, TWI North (Middlesbrough) or your premises
  • issue of approval documentation by TWI Certification Ltd*
  • electronic management of approvals
  • underpinning welding process job knowledge to meet BS EN 287 requirements (optional)
  • practical and technical assistance from professional CSWIP Registered Master Welding Instructors who are also CSWIP Welding Inspectors

* TWI Certification Ltd is officially recognised by the DTI/UKAS for welding certification as required by the PED. All certificates issued carry the TWI Certification Ltd and CSWIP stamps - two marks of unparalleled status in the field of welding certification.

The author

Colin Eileens is Programme Manager at TWI's Welder Training Centre, with responsibility for the quality, design and delivery of welder training programmes. His current qualifications include European Welding Specialist, CSWIP Registered Master Welding Instructor and CSWIP Welding Inspector. His current welder approvals are MMA, TIG, MAG to BSEN287, ASME IX and CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) for ferrous and non-ferrous, pipe, plate and sheet.

Colin has worked in the welding industry for over 30 years and gained considerable all-round experience which he exploits to excellent effect during his enthusiastically-delivered training courses. Having started as an industrial welder and then progressed to senior welding engineer at TWI, he has extensive practical and technical know-how across a wide range of welding applications, together with a thorough understanding of the problems faced by those learning a new skill or endeavouring to grasp a difficult concept.

Colin is also involved with UK Skills and made his debut as Training Manager/Technical Expert (UK) for welding, at the WorldSkills competition, Helsinki May/June 2005.

Colin was responsible for selection of the candidate, developing and overseeing, pre-competition training for the UK's welding competitor.

Click for information on TWI's Practical welder training and approval to recognised standards.

Contents

The main part of this best practice guide, which focuses on TWI training and approval-test programmes for welders, is contained in Section 2 - Information, explanation and practical guidance:

  • Training objectives and typical syllabus
  • The welder approval certificate
  • Routes for training and qualification of welders
  • Training programmes
  • Practical training modules
  • Further skills development
  • How to get more information

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