EWF The European Federation for Welding, Joining and Cutting, was created in 1992 by all the welding institutes of the European Community with the aim of updating and harmonization training and education in the field of welding technology
EWF Mission To provide world class, European focused, value added products and support services to its members and their communities in the field of joining, welding, cutting and related technologies on an international basis
EWF Vision To be an essential global network in the field of joining, welding, cutting and related technologies, indispensable to members in the achievement of their strategic objectives
Areas of Activity Training of Welding Personnel Qualification of Welding Personnel Certification of Personnel Certification of Companies Collaboration Projects
Welding can go wrong
The Welding Quality Chain The links in the chain are the people with welding responsibilities: Welders NDT personnel Welding inspectors Welding coordinators Quality managers Etc If only one person does not have the required competence the chain breaks and the required quality is not achieved!
Standards and specifications Two important standards recognise the importance of competence in welding: EN ISO 3834 (formerly EN 729) Quality Requirements for Welding EN ISO 14731 (formerly EN 719) Welding Coordination Compliance with the standards is becoming a requirement: EU Directives Product Standards Client Specifications
The IIW/EWF Qualification System Professional Qualification Combined System EWF and IAB/IIW ANBs Rules for the Approval of ANBs and ATBs EWF and IAB/IIW EWF System Qualification Levels /Guidelines: -IWE/EWE Engineer - IWT/EWT Technologist -IWS/EWS -Specialist - IWP/EWP Practitioner - IWIP/EWIP Inspection Personnel (3 levels) -IW/EW Welder (3 levels, 4 processes) - IWSD Structures Designer (2 levels) -Distance Learning Guidelines: - EAE/EAS/EAB Adhesive Bonding - EWS-RW/EWP-RW- Resistance -ETSS/ETSP/ETS-Spraying - MMA EW-Diver - Railsafe Aluminothermic Welder Special Courses at Specialist Level: -Laser -Robots -Reinforcing Bars - Weld Imperfections for NDT Pers. - Macro and Micro Examination - Heat treatments
The IIW/EWF Qualification System Example: International/European Welding Specialist Guideline divided in 5 major modules: Welding Processes (45 hours) Materials and Weldability (47hours) Construction and Design (22 hours) Fabrication, Applications Engineering (53 hours) Practical (welding processes 60 hours) The syllabus includes practical exercises, case studies and defines skills and competences Major roles of a Specialist in a manufacturer: Responsible Welding Coordinator (smaller company) Link between engineers and welders (larger company)
The IIW/EWF Qualification System Single International System for Training, Qualification and Certification of Welding Personnel Central system to mange examinations Quality assurance system IWE/EWE International/European Welding Engineer IWT/EWT International/European Welding Technologist The IIW/EWF Training System for Welding Personnel IWI-C/EWI-C International/European Welding Inspector Comprehensive level IWS/EWS International/Eueopean Welding Specialist IWI-S/EWI-S International/European Welding Inspector Standard level IWP/EWP International/European Welding Practitioner IW/EW International/European Welder IWI-B/EWI-B International/European Welding Inspector Basic level Possible Optional Access (if other access conditions are also met) Direct Optional Access
The IIW/EWF Qualification System Rules for the implementation of IIW/EWF Guidelines for the education, examination and qualification of welding personnel. ANBs Doc. IAB-001r4-10 Rules for the implementation of IIW Guidelines for the education, examination and qualification of welding personnel ATBs Doc. EWF-416r3-10 Rules for the implementation of EWF Guidelines for the education, examination and qualification of welding personnel
The IIW/EWF Qualification System ANB Authorized National Bodies: Organisation appointed by the National Member and Authorised by IIW/EWF to promote and supervise the system in the country The are 37 ANBs Net Work at the present, they comprise: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, P. R. China, Croatia, Czech R., Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine and United Kingdom. ANBs Applicants at the present: Egypt, Greece, Kazakhstan, Nigeria and Rep. of Korea
The IIW/EWF Qualification System How To Become An ANB STANDARD REQUIREMENTS FOR ANBs Role The approval of ATBs to implement the courses in accordance with the Guideline(s). The qualification and certification of personnel and recording the relevant informati. The management of the examinations. Grant Authorisation Scope of activity 5 Years Organisational Structure Governing Board Chief Executive Examination Board Audit Team for ATBs
The IIW/EWF Qualification System The IIW/EWF Qualification System How To Become An ATB STANDARD REQUIREMENTS FOR ATBs ATBs(Approved Training Bodies) conduct courses designed to prepare candidates for qualification/certification, as described in the IIW/EWF Rules ANB Recognition Recognition ATB 1 ATB n (other countries)
The IIW/EWF Qualification System The IIW/EWF Qualification System The International Training and Qualification System
The IIW/EWF Qualification System The IIW/EWF Qualification System The European Training and Qualification Systems
The IIW/EWF Qualification System The IIW/EWF Qualification System The IIW Training and Qualification System
The IIW/EWF Certification System Certification Personnel Certification EWF / IIW System ANBs Certification System for Welding Coordinators PCS Certification of Plastic Welders - CEPW Certification of Welders - CEW
The IIW/EWF Qualification System Example: European Plastics Welder Guideline divided in 5 major modules: Hot Gas and Extrusion Welding of Plastics (49 hours) Heated Tool Welding of Plastics (36 hours) Electrofusion Welding of Plastics (27 hours) Heated Tool and Electrofusion Welding of PE Water and Gas Pipe (38,5 hours) Welding of Lining Membranes (27 hours) The syllabus includes practical exercises, test units and theoretical training. It also defines skills and competences
The IIW/EWF Certification System The IIW/EWF Certification System For Personnel The EWF Plastic Welders Certification has been approved in January 2005.
The IIW/EWF Qualification System To ensure that all EWF/IIW certificates and diplomas have the same meaning and value wherever in the world they are issued the EWF/IIW training, qualification and certification system is underpinned by a rigorous Quality Assurance regime. In compliance with ISO 17024 Conformity assessment -- General requirements for bodies operating certification of persons and associated IAF/EA guidance documents Certification Bodies = ANBs As well as EWF/IIW authorisation, many ANBs also achieve national accreditation as certification bodies for implementation of the EWF/IIW system.
The IIW/EWF Qualification System The Quality Assurance System documentation includes: Rules for ANBs Governance Impartiality Competence Supervision of ATBs Conduct of examinations Handling complaints and appeals Issuing diplomas and certificates Etc
The IIW/EWF Qualification System The Quality Assurance System documentation includes: 20 Operating Procedures Requirements, recruitment, training and surveillance of assessors Assessment, authorisation and surveillance of ANBs every ANB is audited at least twice every 5 years Fees for audits Harmonised examination questions Etc All QMS documentation is prepared by QA professionals and subject to approval by the members in general meetings
The IIW/EWF Qualification System Team of Assessors: 5 Lead Assessors and 9 Peer Assessors from 12 different countries All Assessors must meet recruitment criteria regarding their training, experience and competence (based on ISO 10011-1) All Assessors must attend an annual Assessors Workshop for knowledge refreshment All Assessors are subject to on-the-job moderation.
The IIW/EWF Qualification System In summary, world-wide uniformity is achieved by working with precise, detailed guidelines which include: Access conditions (prior education) for participants Curriculum details objective, scope and expected result for each topic Theoretical and practical elements Examination requirements including mandatory use of harmonised examination questions ATB requirements And by a rigorous and competent audit regime, based on international standards of best practice, that ensures compliance with the above requirements at national level.
EWF Qualification and EQF
EWF Qualification and EQF
Conclusions 1. Competence in welding is key to the safety, reliability and cost effectiveness of welded products. This applies to all personnel. 2. Over the past 20 years IIW/EWF have developed and installed a comprehensive harmonised qualification system which facilitates the adoption of best practice in terms of competence demonstration. 3. The EWF/IIW system is underpinned by a rigorous quality assurance regime.
Conclusions 4. Competence in welding is recognised in ISO 3834 and ISO 14731 and these standards quote the EWF/IIW qualification system as an exemplar. 5. The system is used throughout the world and over 170,000 diplomas have been awarded. 6. EWF/IIW structures are aligned with the EQF principles
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