A Message from our CEO

A Visit to Adelaide With COVID-19 restrictions finally having eased, I have had the pleasure of travelling interstate over the last month to visit members and key welding industry stakeholders.

Whilst in Adelaide, I had the opportunity to meet with several defence industry companies, including ASC. A key topic of discussion during this meeting was changes to the plan for Australia’s fleet of submarines, following the Federal Government’s termination of the $90 billion contract with Naval Group.

I also received an update from BAE Systems on the progress of their Hunter Class Frigate Program. Based on BAE Systems’ Type 26 Global Combat Ship design, the Hunter Class is the world’s first bow-to-stern digitally-designed anti-submarine warfare frigate. Program design activities are well underway, including the prototyping. BAE Systems is collaborating with Flinders University at the Tonsley Innovation District to develop advanced manufacturing processes and techniques that will be adopted throughout the shipyard. I toured the Factory of the Future at Tonsley Innovation District and was impressed with the work being done in the area of Industry 4.0.

Visits to several Weld Australia member companies were also on my Adelaide itinerary. I toured the Supashock factory, and had an in-depth discussion with their CEO Oscar Fiorinotto about the shortage of welders. We agreed to examine opportunities for welder training, assessment and certification.

I met with AML3D, a highly innovative company that is enabling fast and efficient manufacture of components and structures using a patented Wire Additive Manufacturing (WAM®) process. Their cost-effective process can offer increased strength and less waste when compared to traditional casting, forging or billet machining methods. With shorter production cycles, AML3D can help reduce downtime on part replacement. If you are looking for an innovative solution, I encourage you to investigate AML3D’s process.

I also visited K-TIG, and was very impressed with the advancements that the company has made in the last five years. K-TIG is an advanced TIG welding technology that combines increased productivity with high quality results. Based on research undertaken by CSIRO, the K-TIG process can be used in a range of different industries, from defence and pipes, through to tanks and vessels.

A Visit to Melbourne Whilst visiting Melbourne, meetings with several members were also on the cards. I toured Hilton Manufacturing in Dandenong,

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and was very impressed with their 20,000m2 high-tech manufacturing facility. Hilton has experience and expertise in all aspects of sheet metal manufacturing for a diverse range of industries. Hilton has heavily invested in its team of 250-odd people, processes and plant to remain competitive. Many of their more repetitive high-volume processes are undertaken by robotics, to ensure cost effectiveness and quality, as well as improved working conditions for their team members.

MaxiTRANS is looking to make similar investments in automation at their 30,000m2 production facility in Ballarat, which I had the pleasure of visiting. MaxiTRANS is the largest heavy duty trailer manufacturer in Australia, and caters for a wide range of trailer equipment needs, providing freight products to industries as diverse as infrastructure, mining and grocery. All their products are manufactured or assembled in their own facilities.

Together with representatives from Federation University, I toured Diverseco’s facilities in Ballarat and witnessed a demonstration of a welding cobot. Weld Australia will work with Federation University to integrate a welding cobot with their Soldamatic augmented reality welding simulators. The integration will help to upskill qualified local welders so that they can implement cobot technology into their production processes.

Welder Skills Shortages and the Future of Welder Training Australia’s severe welder shortage and welder training were a key focus for several of my meetings in Melbourne. Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, Australian industry was already facing a looming workforce crisis, including a severe shortage of skilled, qualified welders. According to feedback from Weld Australia’s members, the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated this shortage. The industry is facing a shortage of labour, from Welding Supervisors and Inspectors, right through to welders. Finding competent, skilled, experienced welders is becoming more and more difficult.

I met with several industry bodies to discuss the future of welder training, including the South East Melbourne Manufacturers Alliance (SEMMA), Box Hill TAFE and Chisholm Institute. I discussed these issues with representatives from Victorian Government bodies, including Cameron Baker (Executive Director, Apprenticeships Victoria) and Craig Robertson (Chief Executive Officer, Victorian Skills Authority). Industry partners were also keen to discuss solutions to the looming welder skills shortage, with Thornton Engineering seeking advice on how to upgrade their internal training facilities.

While there is no easy solution for Australia’s welder shortage, it is clear that all industry stakeholders need to work together to secure the welding workforce of the future—private companies, training providers and government bodies alike.

Support for WorldSkills Australia Weld Australia is set to support the next generation of welders. The 46th WorldSkills International competition will take place in Shanghai in October 2022. WorldSkills Australia is one of over 60 WorldSkills International member countries. This provides Australia with the ability to benchmark and showcase the welding skill on the international stage.

Every two years, participating members converge at the world’s largest skills competition – the WorldSkills International Competition. Competitors must advance from the regional to the national level to prove their commitment and skills in their chosen field and to secure a place in the Skillaroos team; the International Competition is the ultimate test. Members of the Skillaroos team become ambassadors for their skill, local region, state and country. For further information, visit: worldskills.org.au

If you’re interested in supporting Tim Blackwell (competitor) and Mark Williams (expert) to compete at the 46th WorldSkills International competition, please contact Michelle Bignold (National Manager, Sales & Marketing, Weld Australia) on m.bignold@weldaustralia.com.au.

Together with representatives from Federation University, Geoff Crittenden (CEO, Weld Australia) recently toured Diverseco’s facilities in Ballarat and witnessed a demonstration of a welding cobot.

Geoff Crittenden

CEO, Weld Australia