TECHNOLOGY-RICH WELDER TRAINING ACROSS THE DITCH

TECHNOLOGY-RICH WELDER TRAINING ACROSS THE DITCH

How ATNZ is engineering a brighter future with the help of augmented reality welding simulators

Originally established in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, ATNZ has grown into a national organisation, employing the largest number of apprentices in mechanical engineering and related fields across the country. With a focus on high-quality apprenticeships and industry-relevant training, ATNZ has made technology an integral part of their learning approach. By incorporating cutting-edge Soldamatic welding simulators, ATNZ is leveraging augmented reality to enhance apprentices’ skills and confidence, all within a safe environment.

ATNZ—short for Apprentice Training New Zealand—was created as a trust in 1999 to provide dedicated and focused training for apprentices in the engineering and manufacturing industries.

From humble origins in Hawkes Bay, ATNZ expanded quickly to become a national organisation and is now New Zealand’s largest employer of apprentices in mechanical engineering and related industries.

According to Tim Wilson (Chief Executive Officer, ATNZ), “We are New Zealand’s group training scheme for the engineering sector. ATNZ is very similar to the Group Training Organisation model that operates in Australia: we employ the apprentice, and then place them with a workshop for training. We provide support to the apprentice, but their learning is primarily through on-the-job training. We undertake the assessment and award the qualification at the end.”

Today, ATNZ boasts a national footprint, with 410 apprentices placed throughout 170 companies across New Zealand.

The ATNZ team is focused on providing high-quality apprenticeships and industry-relevant training programs to bring a skilled labour force to life. ATNZ provides managed apprenticeships in:

• Engineering fabrication

• Mechanical engineering

• Refrigeration and air conditioning

• Mechanical building services

Technology Enhances Training

Wilson, who has a background in the maritime industry, firmly believes in the benefits of using technology to enhance training.

“When we were creating a longterm strategy for ATNZ, it was really important to the Board and myself that we were technology driven. We wanted to leverage technology in our learning as much as we could.”

“About two years ago, we undertook an evaluation of what technology was available in engineering. We identified welding as one of the areas in which technology would be really useful for training,” Wilson said.

“We did a quite detailed review of what welding simulators were available in the market and reached the conclusion that the Soldamatic was the best for we wanted to do. We could see that the Soldamatic would work best for both brand new entrants to the welding industry, and for advanced technicians who needed to refine their skills or pick up new skills.”

Soldamatics are cutting-edge welder training simulators that leverage the power of augmented reality. Augmented and virtual reality training systems are student-focused, allowing individual students 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.

With zero risks involved, apprentices can respond to realistic scenarios without pressure or fear of injury. Augmented and virtual reality training is enabling future welders to acquire the skills and the self-confidence they need before moving into real-world workshops.

The new paradigm in vocational, technical and industrial training, augmented and virtual reality training technologies are proven to be efficient and environmentally sustainable, offering significantly reduced CO2 emissions when compared to traditional welding training and slashing consumable usage. These systems allow training centres and industry to save costs and time whilst training professional welders.

ATNZ purchased six Soldamatic welding simulators from Weld Australia. The devices are being embedded throughout ATNZ’s operations, helping to equip budding welders with the practical skills necessary to grow their confidence.

“One of its biggest benefits is that our trainers can load the simulators into a van and transport them anywhere. The mobility of the Soldamatics is a really critical part of why we’ve chosen to invest in them,” Wilson said.

As Wilson explained, ATNZ intends to use the Soldamatic technology for four key purposes. “First, and most critically, we have invested in the Soldamatics to improve the welding skill of our apprentices and ensure they are more confident in some of the techniques they may not get to practice every day in their workplace,” said Wilson.

“Secondly, in New Zealand, a dedicated welding qualification has just been reintroduced. About five to six years ago, New Zealand discontinued welding

qualifications and subsumed them into the engineering apprenticeships. However, we have recognised that there is a need for specialist welders and reintroduced the qualifications. So, the simulators will be used to help welders successfully gain these qualifications.”

“The third thing we plan to use the Soldamatics for is our preemployment programs. Similar to Australia, we have massive skill shortages for welders and fabricators. For a number of reasons, a lot of prospective learners don’t consider welding as a career, or haven’t had exposure to welding. From our experience to date, for people who have never been exposed to welding before, some pre-employment training makes the transition into the noise and heat of a real welding workshop much easier and manageable. It will help with the pipeline into the welding profession.”

“Finally, we plan to use the Soldamatics to promote welding and engineering in schools and at career fairs,” said WIlson.

Teachers and students alike have already begun reporting on the vast benefits of the Soldamatic technology. “We had some cynics that weren’t sure about the simulators. All our teachers are skilled welders, and were a bit skeptical of technology to begin with. But they all came away from the teacher training seeing the value of the technology, and how it could be used to benefit students,” Wilson said.

Working with Weld Australia to bring the Technology to Life

Weld Australia is working closely with ATNZ to bring this technology to life within their organisations.

Wilson said Weld Australia’s consultative approach allowed ATNZ to implement the technology with ease. “Working with Weld Australia has been really good—it’s been a really positive experience. All of Weld Australia’s team members have been really responsive and great to work with. We’re looking forward to an ongoing strategic relationship with Weld Australia, and working together on other programs and initiatives.”

Further Information

For further information, visit: atnz.org.nz