South Australia’s new welder training centre now open

South Australia’s first Advanced Welder Training Centre (AWTC) is now open for business at TAFE SA’s Regency Campus.

Equipped with an augmented reality lab featuring, “the most advanced welding simulators available anywhere in the world”, the AWTC aims to ensure local welders are ready to meet the projected demand created by the naval shipbuilding program.

According to the centre, it is anticipated that the continuous naval shipbuilding program in South Australia will require around 2,600 tradespeople from 2020 to 2027. Almost half of this demand will be for welders.

“There are enormous naval shipbuilding opportunities on the horizon that are heading to South Australia and the Marshall Liberal Government is ensuring that we provide the right resources to fill these jobs through appropriate skills and training. Welding techniques required for shipbuilding are of a higher quality standard than regular welding techniques and these simulators will allow students to practice their technique until they consistently meet the quality standard,” said Minister for Industry and Skills, David Pisoni.

The AWTC is a partnership between TAFE SA and Weld Australia, representing industry. Weld Australia will work in close collaboration with TAFE SA to ensure the continued success of the project.

According to Weld Australia CEO Geoff Crittenden, “This technology is three times cheaper, faster and more effective when compared to traditional training methods. By using this technology, TAFE SA will not only be able to upskill existing welders, but also train transitional workers and apprentices to be part of the defence program.

“Without a doubt, the successful implementation of this innovative training initiative will revolutionise welder training in Australia. It will raise the standard of welder education in Australia exponentially, putting our welder training on par with the best in Europe and America.”

The training delivered at the AWTC will quickly qualify 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. ISO 9606-1 is the minimum requirement for working on rolling stock, defence and infrastructure projects.

 


Ausmarine

Published since 1978, Ausmarine is the foremost magazine servicing the Australian and New Zealand commercial, military and government marine sectors.