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 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.

Image: Students at Woolgoolga High School. New South Wales Department of Education Advanced Manufacturing Outreach Pilot Program Weld Australia is committed to ensuring that Australia develops and maintains a world-class, modern welding workforce. To facilitate this, we’re working on programs that improve STEM skills and give high school students the chance to use emerging technologies.

That’s why we proposed the Advanced Manufacturing School Outreach Program to the New South Wales (NSW) State Government. Late last year, their Department of Education and Training initiated a pilot with Weld Australia.

Phase one of the Program has funded teacher training for 16 schools across the state. Weld Australia is rolling out this training at the moment,

covering welding technology, standards, quality and career paths. It also includes practical, hands-on training covering inspection of welds, weld defects and the use of the Soldamatic augmented reality welding simulators.

One of the 16 schools involved in the pilot was Woolgoolga High School. Weld Australia recently visited Woolgoolga High School and saw the simulators in action. Students were really enthusiastic and were fully engaged with the technology, working away to improve their scores and beat their mates.

The simulators allow students to be at the centre of the process, work at their own pace and operate in a completely safe environment. The teachers were very positive and pleased with the enthusiasm shown by students.

Weld Australia Delivers ‘Train the Trainer’ Courses to South Metro TAFE 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 rolling out training to their teachers, in both ISO 9606 and the use of the simulators, over the last few weeks. The training was enjoyed by South Metropolitan TAFE’s teachers—they all seem to be looking forward to getting students onto the simulators.

Canberra Institute of Technology Introduces Augmented Reality into Welder Training Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) is the latest TAFE to introduce augmented reality simulators into the delivery of welder training. CIT offers a range of welder training programs, from entry level through to trade qualifications.

The technology will be used to support student learning in customised training programs and in the delivery of the national curriculum. CIT sees the benefits of this technology for both inexperienced and very experienced learners wishing to develop their skills.

Corrective Services Victoria Pilot Program Our pilot program with Corrective Services Victoria is also progressing. Under the pilot, prisoners at Langi Kal Kal Prison will use an integrated model featuring both the Soldamatic simulators and realworld welding to gain certification to ISO 9606 Qualification testing of welders — Fusion welding. Weld Australia will develop the training program and roll out a ‘Train the Trainer’ course for instructors.

Image: Teacher training at CIT.

Image: Teacher training at CIT.

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.