All the News from Weld Australia’s Advanced Welder Training Centres

Weld Australia has worked with partners around the country to secure State and Federal Government funding for the establishment of Advanced Welder Training Centres (AWTCs). Using the state-of-the-art Soldamatic augmented reality welding simulator, the training delivered at the AWTCs quickly qualifies welders to the only industry Standard in the world that is accepted in both Europe and America: ISO 9606-1 Qualification testing of welders – Fusion welding. This Standard is the minimum requirement for working on rolling stock, defence and infrastructure projects, which are crucial to onshore Australian manufacturing and a stronger national economy.

Images: Training at South Metro TAFE.

Image: Students at Woolgoolga High School.Image: Training at South Metro TAFE.

Image: Training at the Outsource Institute. South Metro TAFE Augmented Reality Welder Simulators Commissioned South Metropolitan TAFE in Western Australia is set to introduce augmented reality into their welding curriculum. 16 Soldamatic simulators have just been delivered to the TAFE, with Weld Australia commissioning the machines earlier this month.

We also rolled out training to their teachers recently, in both ISO 9606 and the use of the simulators. The training was enjoyed by South Metropolitan TAFE’s teachers—they all seem to be looking forward to getting students onto the simulators.

Augmented Reality Training for ISO 9606-1 at the Outsource Institute Weld Australia recently worked with the Outsource Institute to deliver augmented reality training for ISO 9606-1 as part of an upskilling program for both apprentices and experienced welders. The training session was run in Queensland by our Regional Training Coordinator, Adam Coorey.

Over the course of the day, Adam explained what ISO 9606-1 is, how it works as an international welding qualification Standard, and how welders can obtain this qualification. Attendees also had the chance to try their hand at welding according to a specified weld procedure using the Soldamatic augmented reality simulators.

Using new technologies, Weld Australia is providing welders the opportunity to gain internationally recognised qualifications in a more efficient and engaging way. Working with leading RTOs (such as Outsource Institute), our goal is to provide government funded training and delivery of vital industry skills for welding across Australia.

Industry Program Making a Real Difference in the Lives of Adelaide’s Long-Term Unemployed An innovative new training program commenced in Adelaide in early June, designed to help the longterm unemployed gain foundational skills in one of Australia’s most in-demand careers.

Weld Australia has partnered with Workskil Australia and TAFE SA, to deliver a training program that is upskilling a cohort of long-term unemployed people. Students will walk away with foundational skills in welding, opening doors to opportunities to gain employment as a welder.

With little to no prior welding experience, the students start by using augmented reality welding simulators to learn the skills and techniques needed to perform welds in a safe, stimulating and confidence-building environment. Students then move onto real-world welding machines to hone their skills.

According to Weld Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Crittenden, “This exciting program has huge potential to make a real difference in the lives of long-term unemployed.”

“The welding industry is facing a looming skills crisis—the skills required to complete complex infrastructure, defence and construction projects are already in short supply. In South Australia alone, the continuous naval shipbuilding program will require around 1,300 welders between now and 2027. And yet, ABS statistics show that the number of welders in Australia is on the decline— from around 75,800 in 2014, to 69,600 in 2019.”

“Grass roots programs like the one we’ve kicked off this week with Workskils in Adelaide are essential. These sorts of programs are sparking an interest in welding in a whole new audience, helping to pave the way towards closing the ever widening skills shortage.”

“Most importantly, the Workskil Australia training program is helping long-term unemployed people to get ahead, linking them to real opportunities in the workforce, and providing them with foundational welding skills on which to build a secure, successful career,” said Crittenden.

Workskil Australia is a national not-for-profit and charity, with over 35 years experience supporting Australians to achieve sustained economic and social self-reliance. Workskil Australia does this by providing a range of employment, work experience, disability, youth, Indigenous and community services across New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria.

Images: Weld Australia and Workskils Australia training program at TAFE SA.

Augmented reality training systems are student-focused, allowing individuals to progress at their own pace. Welding apprentices learn and understand welding procedures and techniques through a more interactive training method, gaining hands on experience in a controlled, safe environment. Augmented reality transforms training from boring theory and text books into highquality interactive experiences that capture the imagination.