20 years training, qualifying and certifying the best professionals
1 July 2013
Austria
EWF @ 20 years – training, qualifying and certifying the best professionals
The European Welding Federation is actively involved in projects involving members and the industry for the benefit of European competitiveness
June 26th, 2013 - As it enters its 21st year of operation, the European Federation for Welding, Cutting and Joining (from now on referred to as EWF) continues its role leading the processes of qualification and certification of professionals and companies, but also looking at new areas that could leverage from the expertise of its members and associate entities. To that end, the EWF and its members are actively pursuing R&D projects linking industry and its associations, as well as new societal challenges such as life-long learning. The EWF also proactively analyses potential new opportunities to bring the expertise from its members in new areas as they see fit.
According to Dorin Dehelean, President of EWF, “we are very pleased with the great progress we have made since the start of EWF, the several teams and members have in the last few years laid the basis for what we expect to be the next 20 years of success. As our responsibilities have increased with the addition of new members and our community is faced with new challenges, we look confidently to the future, given the commitment of all the organizations involved in our joint success”.
EWF History
The welding institutes of Europe felt, back in 1992, that there was a need to harmonize the way qualification of personnel in welding technology was achieved in different countries. This was the start of a comprehensive Training, Qualification & Certification (T&Q&C) system which is now used in 30 European countries and 13 from outside Europe covering more than 30 qualification levels and more than 10 certification levels in a wide range of professions in welding, joining and cutting technologies. The system is complemented by a quality assurance methodology also in use since 1992.
The current form of the harmonized qualification and certification system is based on the following pillars – training guidelines defining content and minimum hours, expected results, harmonized examination database and a quality assurance system – which is unique amongst peers certification systems in Europe.
The qualification system recognition and outstanding quality has led to the adoption of its guidelines by the International Institute of Welding (IIW) in 2001. As the EWF grew beyond its initial role, it has entered new projects integrating training and technology (2002), as well as new research and development welding projects (2004).
Furthermore, the EWF provides technology support to the industry through state-of-the-art information on welding, which is available to its members and on the website. The deliverables include technical bulletins and the Weld Dictionary app, among other. The success of this focus on using the most recent technologies to reach its network is shown through the increased number of visitors to the site and Social Media presence (Facebook and LinkedIn). And together with all its members and associates, the EWF is looking forward to its next challenges.
Recognition
Beyond the recognition by its members through their adoption, the recognition of EWF’s role in the harmonization of qualifications has also come from official EU bodies and organizations, with EWF training standards being referenced in official publications and ISO standards.
There is also a recognition of EWF’s role in joining related development and research, with several EC (European Commission) evaluation reports pointing out the added-value of EWF participation in the 7th Framework Programme:
• “The coordinator (EWF) is highly experienced in the welding area, created an international qualification and certification system as well as managed EU based research projects.”
• “The coordinator – EWF – is an SME AG who has a central position in European welding, and is well experienced and qualified for managing such a demanding project.”
• “The project coordinator (EWF) has the requested skills for this position, due to a long time experience of multi-partner project management.”
About EWF
EWF is a pioneer in implementing a harmonized qualification and certification system for welding professionals. Through European projects such as Virtweld, DistoolWeld and Weldiction, EWF has been innovating in welding training methodologies, as well as in the development of new technologies and uses for welding, through new projects such as Flexi_Fab, EMFWeld and TailorWeld.
Contacts for media:
Eurico Assunção
Email: EGAssuncao@isq.pt
The European Welding Federation is actively involved in projects involving members and the industry for the benefit of European competitiveness
June 26th, 2013 - As it enters its 21st year of operation, the European Federation for Welding, Cutting and Joining (from now on referred to as EWF) continues its role leading the processes of qualification and certification of professionals and companies, but also looking at new areas that could leverage from the expertise of its members and associate entities. To that end, the EWF and its members are actively pursuing R&D projects linking industry and its associations, as well as new societal challenges such as life-long learning. The EWF also proactively analyses potential new opportunities to bring the expertise from its members in new areas as they see fit.
According to Dorin Dehelean, President of EWF, “we are very pleased with the great progress we have made since the start of EWF, the several teams and members have in the last few years laid the basis for what we expect to be the next 20 years of success. As our responsibilities have increased with the addition of new members and our community is faced with new challenges, we look confidently to the future, given the commitment of all the organizations involved in our joint success”.
EWF History
The welding institutes of Europe felt, back in 1992, that there was a need to harmonize the way qualification of personnel in welding technology was achieved in different countries. This was the start of a comprehensive Training, Qualification & Certification (T&Q&C) system which is now used in 30 European countries and 13 from outside Europe covering more than 30 qualification levels and more than 10 certification levels in a wide range of professions in welding, joining and cutting technologies. The system is complemented by a quality assurance methodology also in use since 1992.
The current form of the harmonized qualification and certification system is based on the following pillars – training guidelines defining content and minimum hours, expected results, harmonized examination database and a quality assurance system – which is unique amongst peers certification systems in Europe.
The qualification system recognition and outstanding quality has led to the adoption of its guidelines by the International Institute of Welding (IIW) in 2001. As the EWF grew beyond its initial role, it has entered new projects integrating training and technology (2002), as well as new research and development welding projects (2004).
Furthermore, the EWF provides technology support to the industry through state-of-the-art information on welding, which is available to its members and on the website. The deliverables include technical bulletins and the Weld Dictionary app, among other. The success of this focus on using the most recent technologies to reach its network is shown through the increased number of visitors to the site and Social Media presence (Facebook and LinkedIn). And together with all its members and associates, the EWF is looking forward to its next challenges.
Recognition
Beyond the recognition by its members through their adoption, the recognition of EWF’s role in the harmonization of qualifications has also come from official EU bodies and organizations, with EWF training standards being referenced in official publications and ISO standards.
There is also a recognition of EWF’s role in joining related development and research, with several EC (European Commission) evaluation reports pointing out the added-value of EWF participation in the 7th Framework Programme:
• “The coordinator (EWF) is highly experienced in the welding area, created an international qualification and certification system as well as managed EU based research projects.”
• “The coordinator – EWF – is an SME AG who has a central position in European welding, and is well experienced and qualified for managing such a demanding project.”
• “The project coordinator (EWF) has the requested skills for this position, due to a long time experience of multi-partner project management.”
About EWF
EWF is a pioneer in implementing a harmonized qualification and certification system for welding professionals. Through European projects such as Virtweld, DistoolWeld and Weldiction, EWF has been innovating in welding training methodologies, as well as in the development of new technologies and uses for welding, through new projects such as Flexi_Fab, EMFWeld and TailorWeld.
Contacts for media:
Eurico Assunção
Email: EGAssuncao@isq.pt