Eur Ing Mark Cozens CEng, SenMWeldI, IWE, EWE, EWIE is the Programme Manager for Materials Joining Technology Training and Examinations at TWI.
The truth about European Welding Federation (EWF) qualifications is shrouded in a cloud of myth and legend. In this personal perspective by TWI's Programme Manager for Materials Joining Technology Training, Mark Cozens separates the fact from the fantasy and spells out the realities of the EWF qualifications.
I first became involved with European requirements for welding and joining 10 years ago as a trainer on the TWI Diploma in Welding Technology training course. Approximately half way through the course the first syllabus for European Welding Technologist became public and the course was quickly modified to incorporate such an important syllabus.
Over the last decade students have completed this course or the other levels, the Diploma in Welding course for European Welding Specialist and the course Diploma in Welding Engineering for European Welding Engineer.
From my experience over the years of these three training and examination programmes, a number of misconceptions have arisen. With experience from hundreds of telephone and personal discussions with people, I thought it would be helpful to separate the facts from the fiction in relation to European Welding Federation (EWF) qualifications.
Fact 1: The UK perspective is in line with European philosophy
The majority of individuals who have joined the three Diploma courses in recent years are required to do so to satisfy European technical requirements. This may relate to contractual requirements, for export reasons, or because of the requirements of EN 729 and EN 719, a standard that, in Europe, has a much higher profile compared to the United Kingdom.
In my experience, UK industry has largely swept European requirements under the carpet and is unaware of specific details related to European requirements.
Fiction 1: European Welding Federation Diplomas are competence based Diplomas
The majority of prospective candidates that I have spoken to about the EWF programme over the years believe that the award of an EWF Diploma is related to proficiency or competence. This, I believe, was never the objective of such a scheme. It is more about training a welding engineer/ technologist/specialist (collectively known as a welding co-ordinator) in a broad range of subjects or topics so that he or she is able to understand the real issues of welding engineering.
In practical terms this means being able to realise the implications of topics that are not taught on traditional welding and fabrication courses. This could include the weldability of a broad range of material types and welding design including fracture mechanics. QA/QC related specifically to welding engineering can help to ensure that the welding, construction and fabrication of a product is carried out to the required standard in an economical manner. This can only be achieved by well trained welding co-ordinators.
Fact 2: There is fast track transitional route to EWF qualifications
For many years a transitional arrangement has been in place to recognise welding co-ordinators who have been working in the field. This arrangement will almost certainly be withdrawn at the end of 2000.
The implication of this closure is that there are many individuals who presently hold NVQs, CGLI, ONC or HNC/D in an engineering subject who are eligible to achieve certain EWF qualifications by completing perhaps as little as 20% of the full syllabus and the full examination.
Such individuals will subsequently be required to complete the full training course and examination requirements. In other words, after the end of 2000, the opportunity of having existing qualifications recognised may be lost. Many future candidates will no doubt complain at the prospect of having to repeat topics that they already know. Although an alternative route that recognises prior learning is presently under consideration.
At present, the transitional arrangements allow the following concessions:
Example 1
Candidates holding a CGLI Pt 3/NVQ level 3/ONC or OND are required to complete a 70-100 hour top-up training course and the full examination. This compares to a requirement of a minimum of 222 hours of training and full examination after 2000 to achieve the EWS diploma.
Example 2
A candidate holding an HNC/HND in Fabrication and Welding can become a European Welding Technologist by completing a minimum of a 70 hour top up course. (100 hours minimum training course for holders of an alternative engineering HNC/HND) and the full examination. This compares with a requirement of a minimum of a 340 hour training course and full examination after 2000.
A mature candidate route also exists for personnel over the age of 35 who can demonstrate an appropriate relevant background without holding any formal pre-qualifications. At present the full EWT course and examinations are required for this route. This may also change after 2000 which would prevent mature candidates achieving European Welding Technologist unless they gain HNC.
Example 3
A candidate satisfying the details in Example 2 can also achieve European Welding Engineer by applying for Incorporated Engineer and completing a top-up course of some 120 hours and the full examination for EWE. After 2000 a minimum of a 446 hour training course and full examination for EWE will be needed.
There are other transitional arrangements in place, and here it is not possible to present all the various options. However, for every application, an individual's CV is assessed in detail before an appropriate training and examination route can be established.
Fiction 2: The fast track route to EWF qualifications will continue beyond 2000
Many people believe that the transitional routes will be further extended beyond 2000 as similar arrangements have happened in the past. Whilst no guarantees can be made, it has been suggested that it is highly unlikely. All candidates starting the programme before the end of 2000 will be eligible under the transitional route. After this, full course and full examination will almost certainly be mandatory.
Fact 3: There are a large number of qualified European Welding Engineers
In the last 10 years the UK has qualified only about 250 European Welding Engineers. However, in Germany, it is reported that the figure is typically 400 per year. Can the UK afford to be left so far behind?
Fiction 3: The EWF training requirements are the same as traditional welding and fabrication courses
Often, TWI is required to match the educational profile of welding engineers/technologists/specialists with the appropriate EWF syllabus. Experience has shown that any one candidate who has been interviewed before the course has a comprehensive understanding of the full syllabus requirements, even though many of the candidates often claim they have experience of a particular subject or topic.
Again, the message regarding EWF qualifications is knowledge, understanding and education, experience is not necessarily a pre-requisite. This would also suggest that many practising welding co-ordinators, who without doubt have many years of experience, are unlikely to have the breadth of knowledge specified in the EWF syllabus.
Fact 4: EWF also recognises CSWIP Welding Inspection qualifications
EWF qualifications also extend to Welding Inspection personnel and holders of the internationally recognised Certification Scheme for Welding and Inspection Personnel (CSWIP) Welding Inspector or Senior Welding Inspector qualifications are eligible for the award of European Welding Inspection Practitioner or European Welding Inspection Specialist respectively.
Furthermore holders of CSWIP Senior Welding Inspector with additional qualifications of HNC/D or a degree/CEng may also be eligible for European Welding Inspection Technologist or European Welding Inspection Engineer respectively.
Fiction 4: EWF Diplomas are substitute qualifications for CSWIP
It appears that some candidates who presently hold certain CSWIP qualifications are not renewing their CSWIP welding inspection proficiency qualifications, but instead are substituting them with European Welding Federation Diplomas.
To emphasise an earlier point the award of EWF Diploma qualifications are in recognition of education and training, not proficiency or competence.
This has, however, been addressed by the recent creation of a new scheme to recognise competence and proficiency with Certified European Welding Specialist/Technologist/Engineer, but has not so far encompassed the EWF Welding Inspection Diplomas, only the Welding Technology part of EWF.
Fact 5: Industry is now starting to recognise the importance of EWF qualifications
Over the years the view of EWF qualifications has changed, albeit slowly, within the UK. From the early days of 'EWF will never be recognised' to 'when will we recognise EWF' these qualifications are beginning to exert a major impact on industry although further progress is still needed. This is certainly reinforced by more and more enquiries asking how do we qualify an EWF approved welding co-ordinator?
Fact 6: EWF qualifications now have international recognition
Recently, EWF Diplomas for welding co-ordination personnel (Engineers/Technologists/Specialists) have been recognised by the International Institute of Welding (IIW). This means that EWF Diploma holders can also apply for the 'International' equivalent welding Diploma.
This could mean that, with recognition from countries outside the European Community, greater emphasis will be placed on the global training and qualification of all welding and joining personnel.
