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To maintain contact with its members during the COVID-19 lockdown, the SAIW has produced a series of webinars delivered by SAIW welding and NDT specialists. According to executive director, John Tarboton, these could become part of the Institute’s ‘new normal’ for effective communication and training.

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In response to the lock down imposed because of COVID-19, the SAIW has embarked on a ground-breaking series of webinars that are being presented by members of SAIW, each an expert in their respective fields.

SAIW webinars offer new learning opportunities

“By utilising the highly popular and free Zoom App, which is easily downloadable on both desktop and mobile devices, our brand new webinar series represents a change in approach to training and communication, one demanded of us by the pandemic, but we see its long term potential too,” says SAIW executive director John Tarboton.

With the launch of the new webinar series, the SAIW has proved that it is possible to provide online engagement and learning opportunities while the country is in lockdown. Each short webinar is designed to educate and inform attendees in an easy to understand, useful and entertaining manner. Unlike a live lecture, the sessions are also recorded and made available online for use after the live event, so anyone who could not make it at the time can catch up at their leisure.

SAIW has routinely held monthly evening meetings for members, which from part of the Institute’s personnel certification programmes, most notably for those requiring continuous professional development (CPD) points to maintain the certified status of their SAQCC CP/IPE/NDT qualifications. “In the future, we envisage these sessions as easily deliverable via webinars, and there are many other training and practical demonstration opportunities that could benefit,” Tarboton adds.

“Despite COVID-19 having a severe impact on our economy, it has offered us a golden opportunity to develop virtual learning opportunities for our members and students; cost-effective opportunities that bring SAIW knowledge and insight into people’s home offices across the country and continent,” he says.

All of the SAIW’s online Webinars delivered to date are still available online. A summary of these is listed below, and can be accessed via the QR code associated with this article.

1  ISO 3834 Company Certification: How to ensure quality control through proven certification procedures.

Delivered by Herman Potgieter, this webinar outlines the value of ISO 3834 Company Certification.

“For products to be free from serious problems in production and in service, it is necessary to provide controls; from the design phase, through to material selection, into manufacture and on to subsequent inspection. Poor design may create serious and costly difficulties in the workshop, on site or in-service, and incorrect material selection may result in problems, such as cracking in welded joints,” says Potgieter.

“To ensure sound and effective manufacturing using welding, managers need to understand and appreciate the sources of potential trouble and to implement appropriate procedures for their control,” he adds

The Introduction to ISO 3834 Company Certification webinar provides an overview of how weld quality can be manufactured into a product, and why ISO 3834 Company Certification, while also a standalone system, is a necessary complement to ISO 9001 for those who manufacture welded products.

2  Augmented, virtual and live weld computer assessed training for students: Augmented reality can take your welding training to the next level

On Wednesday April 22, SAIW Business Development manager, Etienne Nell, gave students a glimpse of the future of welder training. Via virtual reality, he introduced students to the idea of virtual welder training.

“By using the virtual capability of the SAIW’s augmented, virtual and real welding systems, students receive quicker and cheaper training while they practice, troubleshoot and master welding techniques. On this system, trainees can practice welding plate using stick electrodes or wire-based GMAW/FCAW processes with shielding gas,” says Nell.

With audio coaching and instructor reviews based on five welding parameters, students can speed up their comprehension and training time and acquire a greater understanding and mastery of techniques, which results in higher certification rates.

“All the more reason to utilise welding simulators through SAIW and maximise your chances of qualifying in the shortest time at the lowest cost!” Nell suggests

3  Augmented, virtual and live weld computer assessed training for fabricators: Screen employee proficiency at a fraction of the cost

In a second simulated/virtual welding related seminar, Etienne Nell introduced the system’s value for fabricators seeking to employ skilled welders for particular projects and processes. The webinar describes how contract welders can be pre-screened for employment at a fraction of the cost of having to do actual weld tests.

Based on five welding-skills parameters, the audio coaching and instructor review features of the simulated system produce objective scores for each candidate’s welding skills. While this helps students and candidates to quickly improve their understanding and mastery of the required techniques, at the end of the day it can also be used as a quick and easy way of selecting the candidates most likely to successfully pass a welding process qualification test.

4  A career in welding: The profession with meaningful advancement opportunities

SAIW Training manager, Shelton Zichawo, talks about a welding career as an immediate opportunity for employment and one with multiple opportunities for promotion and meaningful professional progression.

“In recent decades welding has become a dominant process in the fabrication of industrial products and in the building of structures from steel. It is used in all phases of production and is needed not only nationally but also internationally in almost every industry,” says Zichawo.

He goes on to argue that completing a trade course in welding can virtually assure every candidate of gainful employment and a long career with multiple opportunities for advancement.

In his webinar, Shelton Zichawo talks about the SAIW’s training offering, how to be a practical welder, and potential career progression pathways via the Institute’s welding coordination courses.

As well as those exploring opportunities in practical welding, this webinar will also benefit those seeking to lead welding teams and manage the day-to-day operations of a fabrication shop: welding specialists, welding technologists and welding engineers, for example.

5  A career in non-destructive testing (NDT): An integral career in the engineering and manufacturing process

SAIW NDT Training manager, Mark Digby, talks about the NDT profession as essential to the production, overhaul and maintenance of welded plant and equipment: a career that is integral to engineering and manufacturing processes.

“NDT personnel test materials or products for any imperfections – without destroying these products or materials – and the process is not only limited to testing welds, but can be extended to various product sectors such as castings, forgings and tubes. NDT can be applied in most industrial sectors such as pre-and in-service testing, power generation and in the petrochemical and oil and gas industries, to name but a few,” says Digby.

NDT personnel form part of the chain of expertise used to ensure the world uses high quality products that pose lowest possible safety risks to end users. This webinar covers the benefits of a career in NDT as well as the courses that the SAIW offers in six different NDT testing methods.

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Peter Middleton
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