Education, training and qualification of personnel

The EWF qualification system has several types of professional training covering welding, bonding and related techniques. This harmonized system of education and training has been adopted by IIW as an international qualification system since 2000. Its relevance has been recognized both by ISO and CEN, which have EWF as a liaison member. These different technologies, like particular processes, require that the quality of the product be incorporated during the and maintenance, and cannot be ensured only by final testing. That entails personnel with particular high level of knowledge, skills and competencies, which can be obtained through the EWF qualification system.

There are three pillars which support the EWF Harmonized International Qualification System:

1. Technical Committee: Harmonized qualification guidelines, rules and procedures are developed and approved by all members
2. The National Member: is responsible for the supervision and implementation of the system through the Authorized Nominated Body (ANB)
3. The Approved Training Centers: Approved Training Bodies (ATBs) implement the qualification guidelines

In 2012, in its annual report about international qualifications, the European Center for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP), has considered the EWF qualification system as the best-case example, recognising the ground-breaking work done by EWF on creating a qualification framework which has been globally adopted.^[7]

EWF training guidelines

The EWF training guidelines cover all professional levels in welding technology and related areas, such as thermal spraying, adhesive bonding, plastics welding and underwater welding, leading to recognised qualifications in 30 European countries and also at international level. They can be listed as follows:^[8][9]

1. European/International Welding Engineer
2. European/International Welding Technologist
3. European/International Welding Specialist
4. European/International Welding Practitioner
5. European/International Welding Inspection Personnel
6. European/International Welder
7. European Arc Welder for Railway Tracks
8. European Thermal Spraying Specialist
9. European Thermal Sprayer
10. European Thermal Spraying Practitioner
11. European Adhesive Bonder
12. European Adhesive Specialist
13. European Adhesive Engineer
14. European Welding Specialist for Resistance Welding
15. European Welding Practitioner for Resistance Welding
16. European MMA Diver Welder
17. European Aluminothermic Welder
18. European Laser Processing Personnel
19. Special Course for Robot Welding at the Specialist Level
20. Special Course for Welding Reinforcing Bars at the Specialist level
21. Special Course on Weld Imperfections for Non-Destructive Testing Personnel
22. Special Course on Personnel with responsibility for Macroscopic and Microscopic Metallographic Examination of Structural Materials and their Joints Prepared/Produced by Welding and Allied Techniques
23. Special Course on Personnel with Responsibility for Heat Treatment of Welded Joints
24. Special Course on Risk Management in Welding Fabrication

Certification of welding personnel

Three certification schemes for personnel have been developed:^[10]

• Welding Coordination Certification has existed since 1998, was adopted by IIW in 2007 and is currently recognised worldwide, allowing Welding Coordinators to be certified according to the requirement of ISO 14731.^[11]

• Plastic Welders Certification has existed since 2004, providing training and certification according to EN 13067.^[12]

• Welders Operators and Brazers Certification exist since 2010. The goal of this scheme is to harmonise the welder's certification process, which is necessary for welder approval.

Certification of companies

EWF has created an integrated Manufacturers Certification Scheme, which complies with ISO 3834 on welding quality requirements, which is in place since 1998, ISO 14001 and OSHAS 18001 on environment and also health and safety, which are in place since 2000.^[13] The scheme has been adopted by IIW, only for the quality field.^[14]

Projects

A good part of EWF's activities have been related to its participation in European cooperation projects, in particular under the European Commission's programmes such as Lifelong Learning 2007-2013, 7th Framework Programme, Erasmus+ and H2020.

The project focuses on modernisation of teaching methods, harmonisation of qualifications, support for learning, implementation and benchmarking to other teaching areas. It covers a variety of areas like additive manufacturing, health and safety, microbonding, laser processing and adhesives that go beyond welding and joining but target manufacturing as a whole.