Weld Australia 2020 Year in Review

2020: Year In Review

weldaustralia.com.au | office@weldaustralia.com.au | +61 (0)2 8748 0100 | 20 Bridge Street, Pymble, NSW

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Weld Australia: 2020 Year in Review

2020 Year In Review

Welcome to Weld Australia’s 2020 Year In Review – a look at our successes, projects and programs over the last 12 months, and that of our members. This year has been exceptionally challenging for the Australian welding industry, and Weld Australia responded rapidly to the changing market conditions presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. Understanding the enormous pressure our members were under, the Weld Australia team has remained focused on ensuring that we continue to provide the resources and services that our members need most. We are committed to using our extensive experience, combined with an innovative new approach, to achieve our core mission: promoting the interests of our members within the field of welding, not just in Australia, but across the globe. With even more exciting plans for the year ahead, it really is an exciting time to be a Weld Australia member.

10,263 Welders Registered on the Australian Welder Certification Register (AWCR)

2,526 People in the Weld Australia Community

398

People Attended Virtual Events

161

People Commenced Online Training Courses

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An Overview

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Virtual Workshops, Seminars & Webinars

56

3

Welders Qualified to ISO 9606-1

Mental Fitness Workshops

12

State Division Committee Meetings

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Remote Audits Conducted

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Weld Australia: 2020 Year in Review

2020 Advocacy As the peak body for welding in Australia, Weld Australia’s mission is to create opportunities for our members and promote welding safety policies which protect the Australian public. In all our advocacy activities, our over-reaching vision is to facilitate the growth of a world class welding industry. In a year like no other, Weld Australia’s advocacy agenda focused on training initiatives for the next generation of welders and fabricators, building a sustainable and productive local industry, ensuring superior welding quality standards and public safety, and building mental fitness.

JobMaker and JobTrainer Fail to Adress the Key Issue: Job Creation In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Government announced two key funding packages: JobMaker and JobTrainer.

While both positive initiatives, Weld Australia highlighted how they both failed to address the key issue: job creation. Weld Australia called on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to invest in programs and strategies that support key industries, stimulate the economy, and enable Australian businesses to create new jobs.

Weld Australia CEO Geoff Crittenden said, “Training does not create jobs—it creates highly skilled people—regardless of how much funding the government sinks into the VET sector.”

“Equally, there is no point in investing in the VET sector if young people aren’t interested in going to TAFE. We need a vibrant STEM program implemented across schools nationally so that children and parents alike understand the opportunities available—the future of employment in industries like welding is not hard, dirty work carried out in a dark workshop, it’s focused on IT and programming skills, using robots and co-bots, and implementing Industry 4.0 concepts,” said Crittenden.

Crittenden called on Australian governments to inject capital into Australian industry so that all these highly skilled young people actually have jobs to go to.

“To create jobs, we must have strong, advanced industry in which the Government is prepared to invest. For instance, at the moment, just 2% of Australia’s $3 trillion under management in Superannuation Funds is invested in the Australian manufacturing industry. Surely, there is an investment model that would better benefit the economy, creating more jobs in the process?”

“Industry must have a strong pipeline of work to take on new employees.

A strong pipeline of work can only be secured if state and federal governments increase local content in all procurement decisions, and the big corporates, like BHP, award local contracts to local companies. Local companies will then be in a position in invest in their own businesses, creating new and better jobs.”

“Let’s consider the construction industry as an example, which is the main consumer of fabricated steel products in Australia, comprising over 50% of all demand. The volume of civil construction work fell significantly in the first quarter of 2020, delivering its weakest returns since the middle of 2008 at the height of the Global Financial Crisis.

These returns dropped even further in the second quarter, which was when COVID-19 social distancing measures really took effect.”

“Like many others, the construction sector is more reliant than ever before on government-initiated projects, from major infrastructure, through to social housing. The state and federal governments must fast-track investment and commencement of as many projects as quickly possible.”

“

A strong pipeline of work can only be secured if state and federal governments increase local content in all procurement decisions, and the big corporates, like BHP, award local contracts to local companies.

Local companies will then be in a position in invest in their own businesses, creating new and better jobs.”

Advocacy

Modernisation of Outdated Welder Training Another key focus of Weld Australia’s advocacy agenda in 2020 was the modernisation of outdated welder training to reflect future industry needs.

The recently released Manufacturing and Engineering training package (MEM 2.0) is not only inadequate for the needs of industry, but imposes significant restrictions and burdens on apprentices, employers, and TAFEs. As such, Weld Australia called on the Federal Government to undertake an in-depth review of the TAFE welding curriculum.

According to Crittenden, “The latest version of the MEM training package differs very little from the 1998 and 2005 versions. In fact, many of the units and much of the content remains identical.”

“Not surprisingly then, MEM 2.0 bears no relation to what is actually required by industry. It ignores the huge technological advancements and changes that will continue to occur in Australia’s engineering and manufacturing industries.”

“The course still devotes time and energy to oxy-acetylene welding, which industry has not been used for about 20 years. Young welding apprentices enter the workforce without the requisite skills or knowledge. Generally speaking, TAFE graduates cannot read a

welding procedure, set up a welding machine, or weld according to Australian Standards.”

“The future of Australian industry in a post-COVID-19 world cannot rely on regurgitating a curriculum that is 20 years old,” said Crittenden.

The only real differences in the MEM 2.0 training package are a significant increase in prerequisites, and the addition of over 2,000 hours of mandated workplace practice.

Both of which will impose significant restrictions and burdens on students, industry and TAFE. “Australia’s welding curriculum must concentrate on the skills that will be essential to the future of industry.

These skills must be focused on advancements such as automation, robotics, artificial intelligence, big data, and advanced manufacturing processes. It is these skills that will see Australian industry continue its push into high-quality, complex, small-batch manufacturing.”

“The Federal Government must revise MEM so that the curriculum teaches skills such as programming, operating and maintaining robots, co-bots and welding machines integrated with artificial intelligence.

It must include units that teach students how to analyse and leverage big data. It must delve into concepts such as Industry 4.0 and additive manufacturing.”

“The TAFE welding curriculum must

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be revised so that meets industry demand now, and into the future.

It cannot be bogged down by excessive prerequisites, mandated workplace practice that employers simply can’t deliver, and training in skills that just aren’t relevant to industry anymore.”

Onshoring, Compliance and Safety Weld Australia continued to push for state and federal governments, as well as large private companies, to onshore welding and fabrication work—not only to bolster the Australian economy, but to ensure weld quality, and therefore public safety, are paramount.

Manufacturing has slipped from 28% of Australia’s GDP in the mid 1960s to just 5% today. Whilst it is easy to blame the demise of Australian manufacturing on the rise of Asia as ‘the world’s factory’, there are significant structural deficiencies in our economy and in Government policy that have contributed.

“In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is becoming ever more obvious that the complete lack of support from state and federal governments and industry at all levels has had a possibly terminal impact on Australian manufacturing,” said Crittenden.

“This lack of support has weakened our ability to compete internationally and reduced our industry to the

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lowest common denominator: cost.

This economic rationalist way of living, which delivers short-term savings, will not secure the future of our economy or manufacturing industry long-term.”

“The Federal Government has pledged $320 billion, representing 16.4% of annual GDP, to economic stimulus packages designed to bolster the economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

What if just a fraction of this $320 billion had been invested into the manufacturing industry over the last ten or 20 years? What if the Federal Government had invested in local manufacturing industries, instead of offshoring work—effectively investing in international economies?”

“Before it collapsed, the car industry wanted just $300 million a year in government assistance—just 0.09% of the COVID-19 stimulus package.

This funding would have been shared across 120 tier one manufacturers and suppliers to keep their factories running and to keep thousands of Australians in jobs. In return, each manufacturer would have invested three dollars for every one taxpayer dollar,” said Crittenden.

“If the Federal Government had invested in Australian jobs, companies, and the manufacturing industry as a whole, our economy would be much better positioned to weather the impacts of COVID-19.”

“We need a commitment from state and federal governments to increased levels of local content

Weld Australia: 2020 Year in Review

for all procurement decisions. We need the big corporates, like BHP, to award local contracts to local companies.”

improve access to capital for SMEs. Governments must also invest in the sectors that support manufacturing, from energy through to education.”

“The strength of the sovereign capability of Australia depends on Australians investing in Australia.

It might be cheaper in the shortterm to buy from Thailand, China, or South Korea, but all this does is weaken our economy.”

“To secure the future of Australian manufacturing and re-pay the debt that COVID-19 will leave in its wake, we need determined action from our Governments, industry leaders, and the general public to put Australia first. We need to foster a sense of social responsibility.”

“If Australia is ever going to re-pay the $320 billion stimulus package, we need to invest in our economy.

We need to bring home the manufacture of goods such as cars, rail infrastructure, and solar power equipment,” said Crittenden.

“If we do this, local companies will then be in a position to invest in their own businesses, and to strengthen our manufacturing industry from within. Business innovation encourages the creation of strong and lasting new businesses and the creation of new and better jobs, which together support a move to higher living standards. Innovation investment by business is crucial to our ongoing prosperity.”

“Australia Governments must transform Australia into a worldclass manufacturing hub—it must be a national goal. Governments must mandate that every item sold in Australia complies to an Australian or internationally recognised Standard.

Governments must invest in the manufacturing industry, incentivise investment by superannuation funds and venture capitalists, and

“We need Australians to support Australia,” said Crittenden.

Thousands of Cracks Discovered at Chevron’s Gorgon LNG Plant The dangerous cracks discovered in critical components of the US$54 billion Gorgon LNG project off the Pilbara coast in July are just one example of poor quality imported fabricated products.

During a routine shutdown of the train two processing line at Chevron’s Gorgon LNG plant, thousands of cracks—some up to a metre long and 30mm deep— were found in giant heat exchanges and propane kettles. These critical components were originally manufactured offshore in South Korea. With these exchanges and kettles used to store with explosive chemicals, the health and safety risks were enormous.

According to Geoff Crittenden (Chief Executive Officer, Weld Australia), “Importing these critical components from South Korea has clearly been a disaster. As is so often the case, imported fabrication work is of such

“To secure the future of Australian manufacturing and re-pay the debt that COVID-19 will leave in its wake, we need determined action from our Governments, industry leaders, and the general public to put Australia first. We need to foster a sense of social responsibility.”

Advocacy Activities

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poor quality that entire components must be completely rebuilt. Together with serious long-term reliability and safety concerns, these quality issues completely negate any possible upfront cost savings.”

“In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, with international borders shut to FIFO welders, now is an ideal opportunity to employ Australian welders to rectify the serious issues discovered in train two, and undertake the urgent safety and quality inspections required on trains one and three.”

“Multi-national companies like Chevron need to understand that they are part of our community and have a social responsibility to support Australian industry. Australia is home to some of the most experienced welders and fabricators, who routinely produce high quality work, in line with all relevant Australian Standards—there really is no downside to supporting local industry,” said Crittenden.

State Governments Urged to Invest in Local Rail Manufacturing Similarly, Weld Australia highlighted that comments made by the New South Wales State Government in September that Australia is illequipped to manufacture trains locally are simply untrue.

Australia has a proud and successful history of railcar manufacture; one only has to look at the Tangara trains, which were one of the most advanced and internationally successful trains of their time.

Weld Australia called on all state governments to support local welders and fabricators in their rail procurement processes. This would create thousands of jobs, a solid local supply chain, and an industry equipped to export world-class trains all over the world.

Crittenden said, “There is a real opportunity for the state governments to invest in creating a robust, resilient rail manufacturing industry that can compete on the world stage.”

“State government rail procurement practices that support local welders and fabricators would create thousands of jobs, supporting local families and local economies in a post COVID-19 world. It would facilitate technology transfer and drive some of the world’s most innovative research and development. It would make Australia home to a world-leading rail industry, with the capability to build and export superior quality trains.”

“In recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, this type of economic expansion is essential; both the Federal Government and the Reserve Bank of Australia have emphasised how important it is for state governments to spend money.

And yet, our state governments consistently spend our money overseas.”

“All of New South Wales’ trains are manufactured overseas; the $900 million Waratah 2 trains are being fabricated in China, the $2.3 billion Intercity fleet of trains is being fabricated and built in South Korea, and the light rail trains are being built in Spain. Worth well over $4 billion, had these three projects been awarded to local fabricators, they would have created thousands of jobs in New South Wales alone, and seen the development of cuttingedge new technology.”

“The situation is the same across the rest of the country. Victoria’s

trains are fabricated in China and only fitted out in Melbourne. Western Australia’s new metro trains will be fabricated in India and fitted out in Perth, and the latest Queensland trains were fabricated in India,” said Crittenden.

“Offshoring rail industry welding and fabrication work to India, China and South Korea does not strengthen the Australian economy in any way.

In fact, it weakens the Australian economy.”

“Australia already has a substantial rail repair and maintenance industry.

With over 900 companies involved in manufacturing and supplying in the industry, our local rail industry is already worth over $2.4 billion to Australia’s economy—but it is not being supported by the state governments. Only weak minded nations and leaders export strategically critical infrastructure projects.”

“If our state governments adopted a nationally consistent procurement process that considered whole of life costs and prioritised local content, not only would it create thousands of jobs, it would deliver better quality public transport. Locally fabricated trains would adhere to all relevant Australian and international Standards, reducing expensive rework and repair. Cheap imports from overseas often cost more in the long run,” said Crittenden.

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Weld Australia: 2020 Year in Review

2020: Workshops, Webinars & Seminars Each year, Weld Australia runs a variety of member-focused events to ensure that the Australian welding industry remains strong, competitive and up-to-date with advancements in everything from technology, through to Australian Standards. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, Weld Australia’s 2020 calendar of events was facilitated virtually, ensuring that members still had the opportunity to discuss the current climate, as well as changes in the industry.

Structural Bolting eCourse November 2020 Robert E. Shaw Jr (President, Steel Structures Technology Center) hosted a five-part eCourse that included important information on AS 4100, NZS 3404.1, AS/NZS 5100.6, AS/NZS 1252 and EN 14399-X. Facilitated in collaboration with HERA and the Australian Steel Institute (ASI), the five part program included sessions on: bolted connections; bolting materials; bolting assembly performance; bolting installation; and bolting inspection and problem resolution.

The eCourse also explored the numerous problems faced in bolted connections, and addressed the conformity of steel materials for structural bolting applications.

Attendees learned about the new and innovative methods for enhanced time management, cost reduction, and improved efficiency.

AS/NZS ISO 9606.1 Seminar November 2020 During this seminar, Bruce Cannon (Principal Welding Engineer, Weld Australia) and Victor Blain (Senior Welding Engineer, Weld Australia) provided an overview of how to qualify welders according to AS/NZS ISO 9606-1 Qualification testing of welders - Fusion welding Steels and ISO 9606-1, which permit welders to work on steel structures (as per AS/NZS 1554) and pressure equipment (as per AS 3992).

The perfect event for welding supervisors, quality managers and fabricators alike, attendees received practical, hands-on tips. With a better understanding of the why, where and how to implement qualification, the process should be much faster, easier, and less stressful—for the benefit of the entire organisation.

Qualification of Welding Procedures Workshop August and September 2020 Victor Blain hosted an interactive online workshop in August focused on ISO 15607 to ISO 15614: Qualification of Welding Procedures.

This workshop booked out in record time, so it was also run for a second time in September.

Although Australia has its own manufacturing codes for products, such as pressure equipment, welded steel structures, and pipelines, it is important to keep up-to-date with latest developments in the widely recognised international ISO standards. The adoption of international standards has increased in recent years, particularly in relation to welding procedures, for land defence projects, naval shipbuilding, and in the manufacturing and railway sectors. This highly interactive online workshop provided attendees with an introduction to the ISO 15607 to 15614 suite of Standards, while highlighting the fundamental differences to the equivalent Australian and New Zealand Standards.

EN 15085 Webinar September 2020 In September, Weld Australia hosted a must-attend event for railway industry personnel. The event delivered insights and practical recommendations on how to implement the requirements of EN 15085 Railway applications – Welding of railway vehicles and components in a workshop, gain certification, and be in a position to partner with companies like Alstom and Bombardier, CAF, Siemens, Hitachi and others playing a role in the various railway projects across the country. Already, EN 15085 is gaining interest and attention from government departments and railway industry manufacturers as part of the tender assessment process.

Victor Blain also hosted this interactive session, where he drew on his previous experiences at Bombardier to share practical tips for businesses who are considering EN 15085 implementation.

Process Safety Webinar September 2020 Weld Australia’s Power Generation Industry Group hosted a roundtable discussion in July, in which experts from Aurecon, Energy Australia, CS Energy AGL Energy and Origin Energy, shared their perspectives on process safety in the welding and fabrication sector.

Process safety is about managing the integrity of operating systems

by applying safer design principles, engineering and disciplined operating practices. Its objective is preventing incidents with the potential for a loss of control of a hazardous material or energy. In turn, this prevents severe consequences like fire, explosion and toxic effects, which may ultimately result in loss of life, extensive property damage and environmental impact. Speakers focused on a broad range of examples from within, and outside the welding sector, from the 1986 Chernobyl disaster to the 2016 Dreamworld incident.

An Update on Changes to AS 3992:2020 Webinar August 2020 In August, Louise Petrick (Senior Welding Engineer, Weld Australia) hosted a webinar on the 2020 update to AS/NZS 3992 Pressure equipment - Welding and brazing qualification. The webinar proved so popular that it was facilitated again time in December. The 2020 update addresses issues not covered in the 2015 update, and harmonises the Australian Standard with International Standards (like ISO 15614-1 and ASME IX) to reflect the changes in the local pressure equipment industry.

Most pressure equipment is manufactured off-shore to other standards, which impacts their maintenance and repair. The 2020 update of AS 3992 addresses this reality by adopting changes to accommodate the different fabrication routes, particularly with respect to welder and welding

Workshops, Webinars & Seminars

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procedure qualifications. Weld procedure qualifications have been modified for specific applications, with some testing formalised, and changes were made to clarify welder qualifications.

Work Act, JobKeeper, redundancies and other trends.

Electrical Safety Webinar August 2020 Following the process safety webinar, a webinar was hosted in early August to focus specifically on electrical safety. Weld Australia CEO Geoff Crittenden opened the event, where spoke about the significance of electrical safety, and the importance of the Welding Safety Council.

Attendees gained valuable insights from a broad range of academic, industry and operational stakeholders, including David Hisey, from The Canadian Welding Bureau Group. Hisey’s presentation specifically focused on a study that recorded the circumstances around 24 welder fatalities.

Returning to the Workplace Post COVID-19 Webinar July 2020 Weld Australia and the Fair Work Ombudsman collaborated to host a webinar in July. The joint event focused on how employees and employers can work together during the COVID-19 transition back to work period.

Aaron Rilstone (Director for Stakeholder Strategy and Small Business, Fair Work Ombudsman) spoke about changes to the awards, temporary amendments to the Fair

Participants were able to learn about the ongoing challenges facing the industry in light of COVID-19, and how the welding industry can cooperate and support one another.

The interactive event also allowed guests to discuss certain measures at different businesses to continue operations and ensure the health and safety of employees.

Welding Fume, Cancer & Other Hazards Webinar May 2020 Weld Australia’s Principal Welding Engineer, Bruce Cannon hosted a webinar reflecting on welding fumes and cancerous hazards. The webinar examined the International Agency for Research on Cancer’s reclassification of welding fumes from ‘possibly carcinogenic to humans’ to ‘carcinogenic to humans’ in 2017. Representatives from Safe Work Australia, the Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists, and Australian Welding Supplies joined Gannon at the webinar.

The online event provided attendees with the critical information required to help protect their respective workplaces from the hazards linked to welding fumes. Cannon also shared advice on Weld Australia’s position, which is outlined in the Fume Minimisation Guidelines. Other hazardous materials associated with welding were also discussed at the meeting, including statutory requirements and control measures.

Further Information For further information about all of Weld Australia’s upcoming events—from workshops and webinars, through to seminars—be sure to keep on the Events Calendar on the Weld Australia website or contact us on membership@ weldaustralia.com.au.

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Member Town Hall Meetings Weld Australia held a series of virtual Member Town Hall Meetings from June to August. The interactive events allowed members to discuss business, community issues and the broader welding and fabrication industry in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meetings were held in each of Weld Australia’s state divisions, with the Chair of each state committee opening their respective forum.

An Industry Update Weld Australia’s CEO, Geoff Crittenden, gave attendees an overview of the current state-ofplay in industry. While projects that were underway at the outbreak of COVID-19 had continued, there was not a lot of new work coming in.

Most members were worried about the pipeline of work, particularly from September onwards when JobKeeper payments cease.

Crittenden highlighted that the federal, state and territory governments must bring major infrastructure projects, invest in local industry and keep fabrication work onshore to prevent widespread unemployment.

Crittenden also discussed how some parts of Australia had been more affected than others. For instance, at the Northern Territory’s town hall meeting, most members

Weld Australia: 2020 Year in Review

reported that their workload had dropped since the outbreak of the pandemic, particularly with some of the bigger shut down projects being postponed.

Around the rest of the country, local industry work was similarly inconsistent. In South Australia, defence sector work has continued but otherwise, it was very quiet. In Queensland and New South Wales, power, mining and defence work was strong, but other areas were patchy. In Victoria, there are some infrastructure projects going ahead, but otherwise work was drying up.

Lively Member Discussions All of the Member Town Hall Meetings featured lively discussions on a whole range of subjects.

Members discussed Australian Standards, including the increased uptake of certification to AS/NZS ISO 3834 Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials and ISO 15085 Railway applications – Welding of railway vehicles and components.

Experts also weighed in with their advice on Australian Standards.

Weld Australia’s National Manager Engineering, Paolo Corronca, provided an update on AS/NZS ISO 3834. Bruce Cannon (Technical Publications Manager, Weld Australia) also provided an update on the recent changes to Australian Standards, particularly the newly published version of

AS 3992 Boilers and pressure vessels - Welding and brazing qualification.

The online events also included a vast discussion of the Federal Government’s JobTrainer plan.

Crittenden outlined his concerns with the scheme, particularly around the fact that state governments have to provide dollar-for-dollar funding matching, which could be problematic.

Members were also particularly concerned about the current and future state of welder training in Australia and the need for an updated curriculum that matches industry needs.

Many attendees at the nationwide forums spoke about the need for Australian industry to focus on advanced manufacturing technology and techniques, including robots, augmented reality and big data.

Other topics that were raised at the events included reshoring Australian manufacturing, Weld Australia’s government advocacy work, and the increased desire for tradespeople with well-rounded skills.

Members spoke in favour of Weld Australia’s role in lobbying Government, major companies and insurance providers.

All six events provided Weld Australia with the building blocks to help industry recover from COVID-19.

Weld Australia Signs MoU with Rheinmetall

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Collaborating for a Skilled Welding Workforce In August, Weld Australia announced that we will collaborate with Rheinmetall Defence Australia to develop a skilled welding workforce that is ready to deliver major defence industry programs, including Land 400 Phase 2. With Rheinmetall having established its Australian headquarters and Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) in south east Queensland, local welders need training and qualifications that align with global best-practice to ensure they can deliver world leading Defence capability and reap the benefits of major defence programs such as Land 400 Phase 2.

Weld Australia Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Crittenden, said that Australia is facing a significant shortage of qualified and certified welders.

Under a Memorandum of Understanding, Weld Australia and Rheinmetall will work together to establish accredited and nonaccredited welding training outcomes and efficiencies – as well as technical development opportunities – that flow from Commonwealth Defence programs such as the delivery and sustainment of more than 3500 high mobility logistics trucks to the Australian Army (Land 1213B/5B) and the manufacture of the BOXER 8×8 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV) in Australia under Land 400 Phase 2 (also known as the BOXER Program).

Focus areas include the importance of certification of Australian

companies that work on the BOXER Program, including requirements for developing welding capability to the internationally recognised AS/NZS ISO 3834 and DIN 2303.

“Without action, we will be unable to meet future demand for not only defence industry projects, but rolling stock, infrastructure and resources projects,” Crittenden said.

“Our collaboration with Rheinmetall, formalised with this Memorandum of Understanding, will help overcome this shortage of skilled welders, and support the Australian Defence industry. It is vital that Australian welders are properly trained and ready to deliver the $5 billion LAND 400 Phase 2 project. This landmark project is an economic gamechanger that is expected to create over 450 jobs at its Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence.”

Rheinmetall Defence Australia Managing Director Gary Stewart said the company welcomed Weld Australia’s active role in delivering the best training capability to Defence industry at a time when the Commonwealth is focused on building significant new capability across Land, Air and Maritime domains.

“Welding will be a critical part of the military vehicle manufacturing and sustainment activities we provide to our customer, the Australian Defence Force,” Stewart said. “We look forward to working with Weld Australia to ensure local welding teams at manufacturing sites across Australia that supply into Defence industry programs such as Land 400 Phase 2 have world class training and qualifications.”

Far Left: Rheinmetall Defence Australia has established its Asia Pacific headquarters at the $170 million Military Vehicle Centre of Excellence (MILVEHCOE) in Ipswich, Queensland.

Left: A TAFE Queensland student trials the new Lorch welding kit during the set up of the welding workshop.

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Weld Australia: 2020 Year in Review

Weld Australia and Gotcha4Life Team Up to Help Build the Mental Fitness of Australia’s Welders Suicide is the leading cause of death for Australians between 15 and 44 years of age, and men are three times more likely to die by suicide than women.

Workers in construction and other trades—including welding—are even more at risk. Tradies are 70% more likely to die by suicide than their behind-the-desk counterparts.

This means that every second day an Australian tradie takes their own life. Despite these alarming statistics, mental health definitely isn’t something that tradies talk about at smoko or after knocking off.

Weld Australia and Gotcha4Life believe that, together, they can strengthen the emotional muscle to help build strong social connections, which in turn develops the resilience required to deal better with the challenges that life throws at us.

Gotcha4Life’s Founder, Gus Worland, explains, “Gotcha4Life’s vision is focused on a society where people are open, honest and supportive in their relationships and comfortable to express themselves when they are not ok. A society in which everyone has a Gotcha4Life mate who they can open up to and rely on no matter what.”

“Weld Australia’s commitment to building this mental

fitness amongst their members ties in perfectly with our aspirations and we’re so excited to be partnering,” said Worland.

According to Weld Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, Geoff Crittenden, Weld Australia has made supporting the mental health and wellbeing of its members and the wider welding community a priority, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic—partnering with Gotcha4Life was a natural extension of this. “Weld Australia is proud to partner with Gotcha4Life. Mental fitness is a complex issue and there is no one simple solution. However, it’s clear that Australian tradies, including welders, need more support. The statistics around suicide and tradies are frightening, and we recognise how important it is for us to take a leadership role in helping to spread awareness and education in the welding community,” said Crittenden.

“It’s vital that we work together, that we back one another, and that we remove the stigma associated with mental health issues. Remember: it’s OK not to be OK,” said Crittenden.

Gotcha4Life is a not-for-profit foundation that believes in the concept of Prevention through Connection, and raises awareness of the importance of identifying a close friend in life, someone you can speak openly and honestly to when times are tough.

Gotcha4Life enables this connection by funding educational workshops and training programs that build mental fitness in individuals and communities across Australia, to enable strong, open and binding relationships. To do this, Gotcha4Life partners with programs like Tomorrow Man and Tomorrow Woman, Man Anchor and Rural Outreach Counselling to help build emotional muscle in communities across the country. For more information about Gotcha4Life, visit: https://www.gotcha4life.org

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Weld Australia Partners with Gotcha4Life

Introductory Gotcha4Life Workshop for Members In the first of many events to come, Weld Australia facilitated an online presentation for members in August. Gus Worland (Founder and Director of Gotcha4Life) spoke to members about the importance of mental fitness and the support that Gotcha4Life can provide.

Gus opened his presentation by explaining just how important building mental fitness is. According to Gus, the objective of Gotcha4Life is to ensure that there are zero suicides in Australia.

“At the moment, we have a real issue. Mental fitness was a problem before the COVID-19 pandemic, and it is even more so now. We have 70,000 people attempt suicide every year in Australia, which means that an ambulance called every 28 seconds,” said Worland.

“If we think we’ve nailed it and have everything answered, we need to think again—we really haven’t. We need to change things up and make sure that people know it’s OK not to be OK. And then, we need to give those people the tools they need to help and to talk. It’s time to draw a line in the sand and say ‘no more’.”

“We need to talk about mental fitness in the same way that we talk about physical fitness. If you go to work and talk about putting on some COVID kilos, people will likely give you positive advice about gyms, running tracks, and meal plans to try.

What would happen if you walked into work and said you had some mental fitness issues? No one would know what to say. If your response was something like, I’m doing lots of meditation or I’m off alcohol for a week, it might really change the conversation. We all need to learn how to be more open, honest and vulnerable,” said Worland.

Gus went on to talk about some of the programs that are offered through Gotcha4Life. Gus described their programs as “the ones that work”. Their programs have been tried and tested by Gus and his entire team.

Knowing the Signs and Symptoms of a Mental Health Crisis In early November, Steven Gamble (Founder, Man Anchor) presented

Interested in Running a Mental Fitness Program at Your Organisation?

If you'd like further details, or are keen to run a mental fitness program at your organisation, contact Donna South (National Manager Membership and Marketing, Weld Australia) on d.south@weldaustralia.com.au. a free webinar for members on Kickstarting Conversations About Mental Health.

The webinar provided members with an overview of mental health disorders, and how they affect people every day. Steven spoke about the mental health spectrum (we all have mental health, just like we all have physical health), identifying events or circumstances that may act as a trigger for someone, knowing the signs to look out for and practical tools to help keep yourself mentally healthy and on the positive side of the mental health spectrum.

“If we look at numbers around anxiety and depression, they are huge. And it will likely only get tougher now. As welfare gets turned off post COVID-19, things will be harder, and more people will be considering suicide as the answer.”

Common Signs and Symptoms of a Mental Heath Crisis Or Illness A ‘Sign’ is what you can see in someone and a ‘Symptom’ is what someone can feel and experience. It’s important to note these are basic indicators, the reality is that someone living with a mental health disorder may not show any of the signs or symptoms outlined here. That is why it is important that, as a community, we continue to build a positive culture around mental health, and remove the perceived stigma and barriers to create opportunities for those who feel isolated to reach out for support.

Behaviour • Withdrawn • Not able to complete tasks • Relying on alcohol or drugs • Lack of concentration • Abstaining from social events

Feelings • Overwhelmed or disappointed • Frustrated or irritable • Low confidence • Unhappy or miserable • Indecisive

Physical • Tired, sick and run down • Headaches and muscle pain • Churning stomach • Loss or change in appetite • Significant weight loss or gain

Weld Australia: 2020 Year in Review

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2020: Training & Certification Weld Australia’s training and certification teams responded rapidly to the changing market conditions presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. We pivoted our business operations as quickly as possible to ensure that we were focused on providing the resources and services that our members needed most.

The Launch of Online Training Courses In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Weld Australia accelerated the development and launch of two new online training courses: those associated with the International Welding Specialist (IWS) and International Welding Inspector – Basic (IWI-B) certifications. Both of these courses proved extremely popular, selling out in

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Commenced International Welding Technologist & Engineer Courses

Commenced International Welding Specialist Courses

The process employed by Weld Australia in transforming its face-to-face courses to an online format was quite in-depth. According to Guy Brooks (Training Manager, Weld Australia), “First, we broke down the courses into topics, and defined which sections would be most appropriate as interactive self-paced pre-lecture modules, featuring videos, quizzes and images.”

“Next, we reviewed the lecture content. We ensured that the core lecture content would comprise all the most important and difficult subjects—those topics that needed great elaboration and that students were more

For information about training, contact Guy Brooks (Training Manager, Weld Australia) on training@weldaustralia.com.au, or visit the Weld Australia website.

Completed Welding Technology Appreciation Courses

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record time. The new online format makes training more accessible, particularly for people in remote and regional areas, who are unable to attend face-to-face courses.

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Commenced Welding Supervision AS2214 and AS796 Courses

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Commenced International Welding Inspector—Basic Courses

Training & Certification

likely to have questions about. Then, we compiled the post-lecture content, including online review questions for each session. This post-lecture content is available all the time so students can go back at any time to work through it,” said Brooks.

One of the most exciting elements of the entire system is the seamless nature of the live lectures. Weld Australia has designed and delivered an innovative technological solution that enables lecturer, Cornelis Van Niekerk, to switch smoothly between a whiteboard, a PowerPoint presentation and speaking directly to camera. The end result is a much more engaging experience.

According to Cornelis Van Niekerk, “It was interesting to explore the new online platforms that we decided on. It gave us the opportunity to view the course material through a new creative lens, to not only make the material more interesting, but to also make it more visually appealing so that the students are constantly engaged.”

The benefits offered by online training are immense. “The online training offers students the opportunity to attend the course without the need to travel. We are able to record each lecture as it is presented and upload this onto an online platform for students to view again when reviewing the work and preparing for their examinations.”

“The course work is also split up into an online self-study component in addition to the lecture material covered in the online classroom to introduce them to, and aid their understanding of, the principles discussed in class.”

“The course is run over a longer period of time, with only two lectures per week of two to three hours per lecture. This gives the students the opportunity to attend the course without having to take weeks’ worth of leave to complete the course and to attend each module,” said Van Niekerk.

Changes to IIW Certifications and Qualifications Weld Australia worked closely with the International Institute of Welding (IIW) on several measures designed to make certification and qualification processes more accessible in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Remote Auditing for AS/NZS ISO 3834 Certification With a range of travel and social distancing restrictions in place to help prevent the spread of COVID-19, performing site audits for AS/NZS ISO 3834 certification is almost impossible. As such, the IIW relaxed these site auditing requirements: Weld Australia is able to audit companies remotely. Weld Australia developed a procedure that exceeds the IIW requirements to ensure that both a rigorous auditing process is maintained, and the integrity of the certification system is upheld. Remote audits can now be carried out via desktop activities, and by utilising videoconferencing facilities and video recording for record keeping purposes.

Remote Exams for Personal Qualifications The IIW also relaxed the way in which exams for personal qualifications are conducted. Weld Australia is now able to fully conduct online examinations, combined with an interview via video conferencing facilities, for several personal qualifications: International Welding Specialist (IWS); International Welding Technologist (IWT); and International Welding Engineer (IWE). Weld Australia is currently working on online examinations for AS 1796 Cert 10 and AS 2214, with the first online exams expected to be in late 2020.

Personnel Certification Renewals Extended Given the exceptional circumstances surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, Weld Australia took action on expired personnel certification.

Weld Australia implemented a policy to give certified personnel an extension of six months from their certification expiry date in

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which to submit their renewal applications. As a result, personnel whose certification expired between January and May 2020 were eligible to apply for a six month extension.

The Results As a result of the new online training and certification measures, welder qualifications increased. Weld Australia issued 56 ISO 9606-1 Qualification testing of welders — Fusion welding welder qualifications in 2020, with another 25 in progress.

Plus, Weld Australia held 21 online examinations for AS 1796 Certification of welders and welding supervisors, with 62 applicants sitting these exams.

Successful launch of the International Welding Engineer (IWE) and International Welding Technologist (IWT) online courses saw 44 students commence this training. In addition, 11 graduates gained International Welding Specialist (IWS) certification and 60 gained International Welding Inspector – Basic (IWI-B) certification.

Australian Welder Certification Register The Australian Welder Certification Register (AWCR) and WeldQ platform continued to grow over the course of 2020. Over 420 users registered on WeldQ this year, taking the total number of users (including the initial bulk upload) up to 10,263.

For information about certification, contact Paolo Corronca (National Manager Engineering, Weld Australia) on p.corronca@ weldaustralia.com.au, or visit the Weld Australia website.

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Weld Australia: 2020 Year in Review

Left: One of DJM Fabrications’ team members hard at work in their workshop in Warragul, Victora.

Below: The Hercules 3.9HD Felling and Timber Handling Attachment from DJM Fabrications. A high capacity, bucket style single front arm, the Hercules 3.9HD offers versatility in felling, delimbing, and track building.

2020: Weld Australia Company Certifications Weld Australia would like to congratulate all the companies that were awarded certification to AS/NZS ISO 3834 Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials in 2020. This includes Alltype Engineering, Bhullar Group, Brolton Group, DJM Fabrications, Flow Tech Australia, HF Hand, Hilton Manufacturing, HVAC Australia, Ingal EPS, Minprovise, Protech Welding, Shotton Group, TSS Engineering and Veolia.

Alltype Engineering Founded in Western Australian in 1985, Alltype Engineering is a privately owned fabrication and construction company. From humble beginnings undertaking power station maintenance and minor projects, Alltype has grown steadily into one of the few Tier Two medium sized fabricators operating in Western Australia.

Today, the company provides a diverse range of services, including process pipework fabrication, mild steel cement lined piping and fittings, structural steel fabrication, tank, vessel and hopper fabrication and integrated fabricated products such as skids, modules and multi-

discipline fabricated products.

With a national delivery capability, Alltype Engineering services diverse markets, including oil and gas, water, power generation, infrastructure, mining, resources, utility, petrochemical and defence industries, in both the private and public sectors.

Their head office and manufacturing facilities are located in Naval Base, 30 minutes south of the Perth central business district. With an oversize load corridor and unrestricted access to port infrastructure, the 23,300m2 site boasts a 6,680m2 workshop area with 12,000m2 laydown and hardstand area.

Bhullar Group Based in Auburn, Bhullar Group is an all Australian owned and operated company that specialises in metals and steel, welded beams, pre-fabricated steel and steel processing. In operation for over 10 years, Bhullar Group has the capacity to produce over 10,000 tons annually, and can cater for projects of any size.

Bhullar can manufacture I-beams and Box girders to suit specific design requirements, as well as manufacture mining, marine access, heavy load, railway and foot bridges. Bhullar has been involved in a diverse range of projects, from Monash University in Melbourne, and the Exhibition Hall

Company Certification

in Darling Harbour, through to the Martin Place Platform for the Sydney Metro.

Brolton Group One of Australia’s fastest growing engineering companies, Brolton Group delivers improved, or entirely new, facilities, technologies and processes. With a collaborative approach, they work on projects of all sizes, from breakdown support right up to full, turnkey factories that win awards for design excellence.

Born and raised in the manufacturing sector, Brolton Group is at home in heavy industry, broader manufacturing and processing, materials handling and infrastructure sectors. Each of their projects is managed by a highly skilled, professional team with the knowledge, expertise and dedication to deliver the results our clients need for their businesses.

Their services range from design and construction, engineering and fabrication, right through to safety solutions and project management.

A new branch of Brolton’s expertise lies in advanced automation and robotics to meet the next generation of innovation, improve productivity and reduce operating costs.

DJM Fabrications Since 1994, DJM Fabrications have been nationally recognised for their work. They specialise in engineering across multiple sectors including civil and mechanical, forestry and mining.

Additionally, they provide custom metal fabrication works for several Australian clients.

In the forestry and services space, DJM complete equipment conversion; part or full component replacement; repair damage; and enhances services with a specialised prototype for forestry applications.

DJM’s team of skilled experts have experience working in modern workshops and on-site units to deliver premium results.

DJM is also a premium provider of civil engineering equipment. The company provides expert advice

and skills to fabricate cabin risers, handrails, tailgates and water tanks.

They use superior grade steel for all projects, which assure clients of ultimate strength and rigidity.

Flow Tech Australia Flow Tech Australia is an engineering, specialised pipe fabrication and marine materials specialist supplier company within defence, civil and commercial orientation. The company has over 30 years’ experience in maintenance, system installation, pipe work fabrication, repairs and system upgrades.

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of cranes, including 12 tonne Franna cranes, 90 tonne mobile hydraulic cranes, semi-trailer transportation and site access equipment. This enables HF Hand Constructors to provide complete service for material, labour and equipment for all heavy steel construction needs.

With a highly qualified workforce, a total covered workshop space in excess of 8,000sqm and three specialised fabrication facilities, HF Hand Constructors has the capability to fabricate, weld, protective coat and provide on-site construction services.

Flow Tech Australia has the diverse expertise and technical resources necessary to provide responsive and cost-effective execution of projects.

Their team is composed of highly experienced pipe fabricators and mechanical fitters, recognised within the industry for the level of expertise they bring to complex projects.

Hilton Manufacturing Located in the south east of Melbourne, Hilton Manufacturing operates a modern factory to meet the needs of all Australian truck companies. Hilton specialises in fuel tank products, battery boxes, pipe brackets, polished truck steps, stainless traps and handrails.

Flow Tech Australia team has completed a diverse range of projects, from urgent pipe and mechanical repairs to complete systems upgrades.

They commenced operations in 1976, and now operate from a modern 15,000m2 factory in Dandenong, in the South East area of Melbourne. To meet the increased demands of their customers in Queensland, Hilton Manufacturing recently established a second manufacturing plant of 4,000m2, in Brisbane. Together, both premises supply to several automotive companies including Volvo and Mack, Kenworth, Mercedes, Iveco and Western Star, and their associated mounting companies.

HF Hand Constructors HF Hand Constructors specialise in steel fabrication and on-site construction and shutdown services, including steel structures, bin and plate work, chute work, conveyor structures, piping and large ducting.

HF Hand Constructors has a full fleet

Weld Australia: 2020 Year in Review

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Their services include everything from CNC machining, laser cutting and assembly, through to metal punching, painting, pressing and bending. A team of 230 people ensure that Hilton maintains a ‘just in time’ delivery approach that enables them to succeed on a global scale.

HVAC Australia HVAC Australia runs complex projects with a great diversity of elements. They operate offices and workshop facilities in Redbank, Brisbane and Adelaide. In all, the company has six core business units: environmental, industrial, mechanical, telecommunications and mechanical services, telecommunications more broadly, and special projects. These focus areas provide complex and customer-focused services to Australian industry partners.

HVAC’s industrial division is focused on the design, procurement, and installation of heavy gauge steel fabrication products. Their services include hood work, duct supports, fabrication of plate work such as bins and hoppers, as well as medium structural works, access platforms, conveyor gantry’s, guards and pipe work. In addition to standard carbon

Far Right: Just some of Minprovise’s high quality above ground fuel tanks.

Middle: Gantry signage fabricated

by Minprovise for Main Roads Western Australia.

Right: One of Minprovise’s welders works on an above ground fuel tank.

steel, HVAC’s steel fabrication facility caters for stainless steel, pressure vessels, complex structures and light gauge steel and plate work.

INGAL EPS First established in 1969, INGAL EPS is Australia’s leading manufacturer of quality light poles, columns, and structures. As part of Valmont Industries, INGAL EPS has access to a large network of trained specialists who can offer custom solutions for any structural pole design requirement.

With staff and offices located in every state of Australia, the main INGAL EPS manufacturing plant is located in Brisbane. This facility is home to an expert in-house design team that can provide engineering and drafting services, as well as bespoke concepts.

INGAL EPS manufactures poles to suit every conceivable requirement for minor and major roads including poles for standard use, frangible poles in the form of impact absorbing and slip base, and an extensive range of decorative poles.

Their floodlighting poles are installed

at some of Australia’s most wellknown sporting grounds.

Minprovise Headquartered in Perth, Minprovise is a specialist products, engineering and services company that provides expert support to the mining, oil and gas and construction industries.

The company boasts an excellent reputation for quality, performance and safety, as well as exponential growth over the last 12 months.

Since their inception in 2004, Minprovise has remained committed to reducing the risks linked with operating and maintaining crushing equipment. Their workshop facilities cater for the most complex repairs, refurbishments, maintenance shut downs, engineering, fabrication and the supply of mineral processing equipment. The company boasts an 8,000m2 undercover workshop in Welshpool, with a 10-tonne overheard crane to support their shut down and project maintenance work.

Some of Minprovise’s work includes fixed plant, and other mechanical equipment repairs; corrosion control against valuable assets; and structural mechanical piping works.

Company Certification

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Protech Welding Protech Welding was awarded AS/NZS ISO 3834 part 2 certification earlier this year, which ensures comprehensive quality requirements are met for operating fabricators.

Protech Welding works on highly specialised projects, and supplies fully skilled fabrication trade works.

Their speciality areas include boiler tubes, structure work, pipe fitting and other metallurgical work.

control and continuous improvement has seen the company expand over the years, including a $2.5 million investment in plant and equipment in 2014. Shotton Group prides itself on being a solutions-base company, delivering superior quality products and services across industries as diverse as rail, bus, aviation, architectural, medical, biomedical, forensics, food, packaging and mining and infrastructure.

TSS Engineering also provides maintenance services as required by the project life-cycle.

While the organisation is based in Auburn, New South Wales, Protech operate across a wide variety of large-scale projects throughout Australia. These include fabrication for renewable windmill blade clamps, rail tunnels, commercial and residental construction, oil and gas power stations, and tank and silo repairs. With over 20 years industry experience in both welding and non-destructive testing, Protech works with many industry partners, including GE Power, Energy Australia, VISY and Sydney Light Rail.

TSS Engineering TSS Engineering’s experience dates back to the early 2000s. In 2017, the directors of the company decided to consolidate their expertise and formally established TSS Engineering. The company started with eight staff members and grew to a workforce of over 70 people within just one year of operation.

This necessitated the relocation and expansion of the company’s workshop from 700m2 to 1,200m2

Veolia Veolia group is the global leader in optimised resource management.

With nearly 171,000 employees worldwide, the Group designs and provides water, waste and energy management solutions that contribute to the sustainable development of communities and industries. Through its three complementary business activities, Veolia helps to develop access to resources, preserve available resources, and to replenish them.

Shotton Group Established in Melbourne in 1977, Shotton Group has over 90 employees and boasts a 7,000m2 facility. Their strong focus on quality

TSS Engineering prides itself on being a ‘one stop shop’ where design review, shop drawings, cost estimation, on-site engineering viability review, fabrication and installation are completed to the highest standards possible.

TSS Engineering is readily able to handle all types of metals including but not limited to: stainless steel, mild steel, aluminium, galvanized sheets and electro-galvanized sheets with high quality finishes. They also specialise in MIG, TIG, ARC welding and on-call tradesman hiring.

In Australia and New Zealand, Veolia has more than 40 years’ New South Wales Division News experience in water, waste and energy management. They are the only integrated environmental solutions provider working across the heavy industry, commercial and municipal sectors.

Just some of their projects include the $7 million purpose-built Whyalla Waste and Resources Transfer Station in South Australia; and the operation and management of Shoal Bay Waste Management Facility in Darwin.

Further Information For further information about certification according to AS/NZS ISO 3834 Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials, please contact: Paolo Corronca (National Manager Engineering, Weld Australia) on p.corronca@weldaustralia.com.au

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Weld Australia: 2020 Year in Review

2020: Advanced Welder Training Centres In the last two years, Weld Australia secured over $5 million in Government funding for the establishment of nine Advanced Welder Training Centres (AWTCs), located at: TAFE SA Regency Campus in Adelaide; the Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council in South Burnie; several TAFE Queensland campuses; Box Hill Institute in Melbourne; Bendigo Kangan Institute; and Federation University Australia in Ballarat. The AWTCs use augmented reality welding simulators to upksill qualified welders and train transitionary workers to international welding certification standard ISO 9606-1 Qualification testing of welders - Fusion welding.

Kangan Institute in Bendigo The Kangan Institute achieved AWTC accreditation, having had their welding staff complete the ‘Train the Trainer’ program on the Soldamatic augmented reality welding simulators, as well as the ISO 96061 component. This saw Kangan Institute officially recognised as a Weld Australia AWTC, enabling them to deliver and assess courses.

Box Hill Institute in Melbourne The Box Hill Institute (through its Automotive and Welding department, working alongside its Youth Programs department) has created a specially designed welding program for Ability Works Australia. A not-forprofit social enterprise, Ability Works Australia has four business units: wire and metal fabrication, digital technology, packaging and assembly, and logistics and fundraising. Ability Works Australia offers a peoplecentric supported workplace, with a

Right: The Box Hill Institute created a specially designed welding program for not-for-profit social enterprise Ability Works Australia.

clear purpose: ‘Through employment we create opportunities for people living with a disability and those socially excluded, to discover their potential and enhance their lives’.

Ability Works Australia facilitated a program, bringing the students into the Box Hill Institute welding workshops to learn how to weld, including how to repair fencing and build new wire mesh. By creating a safe environment initially, the augmented reality welding simulators allow the students to quickly learn the intricate skills required in welding, generating greater opportunities for meaningful employment.

Regency TAFE in Adelaide The AWTC at Regency TAFE in Adelaide commenced the delivery of a new, nine week short course for female educators: Basic Welding Processes for Women. This course is a joint venture between Defence

Industries and Engineering at TAFE SA and the Advanced Technology Program (ATP) at the Department for Education, South Australia.

It is an opportunity for women to participate in a small, safe, and supportive learning environment.

This first introductory trial includes MIG, TIG, MMAW (Manual Metal Arc) and Oxy welding techniques. There is a possibility to offer this course to all women in the future, including secondary and TAFE SA students.

TAFE Queensland TAFE Queensland expanded its already successful AWTC program in 202, investing in an additional 29 Soldamatic augmented reality welding simulators. With this investment, every region of TAFE Queensland across the state that offers an engineering course will have access to faster, safer and more engaging training. This training

Advanced Welder Training Centres

is essential to secure the welding qualifications that are in high demand by the state’s defence and advanced manufacturing industries.

According to Alistair Forbes (National Manager Corporate Businesses, Weld Australia), “The order placed

by TAFE Queensland is the largest ever, in terms of the total number of simulators. TAFE Queensland has really embraced this new, cuttingedge training technology. They have one of the most advanced welder training programs in Australia.”

The simulators are now spread across eight of TAFE Queensland’s campuses, including Ashmore, Bundaberg, Cairns, Coomera, Ipswich, Nambour, and Toowoomba.

This means every region of TAFE Queensland that offers an engineering program will utilise these new augmented reality welding simulators, dramatically improving the quality of welder training.

According to Garry Hargreaves (Corporate Solutions Manager Commercial, TAFE Queensland - SkillsTech), the augmented reality welding simulators have fundamentally changed the way welders are trained in Queensland.

“Participants get an understanding of welding principles up to 40% faster when using the welding simulators. The simulators make training faster, more efficient, more flexible, and more engaging than traditional teaching methods. And, we use less consumables, so there is much less waste across the program,” said Hargreaves. “When we change parameters—different

“

Participants get an understanding of welding principles up to 40% faster. The simulators make training faster, more efficient, more flexible, and more engaging than traditional teaching methods.”

metals, or processes, or welding procedures—we can change the simulator settings quickly and easily, which is really useful. It offers exceptional flexibility in that regard.

The simulators also have a Learning Management System onboard so we can store participant settings and output welding videos and view the improvements throughout the program.”

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Below: The AWTC at Regency TAFE in Adelaide delivered a new, nine week short course for female educators: Basic Welding Processes for Women.

“The feedback from participants has been overwhelming. The gamification aspect of augmented reality is highly engaging, especially for younger demographics. Often, we need to push participants out of the augmented reality lab because the next class is waiting to come in—augmented reality is an inherently engaging technology.

Participants want to stay late, start early, and work through lunch.”

“The investment in the simulators necessitated an in-depth tender process, including the evaluation of augmented reality simulators versus virtual reality simulators. “In the end, we opted for augmented reality because it works with the actual environment you’re in— overlaying digital information on the real world. This is preferable in industrial applications as it closely simulates real application of skills. In comparison, virtual reality presents the user with a fully artificial environment,’ said Hargreaves.

In investing in the simulators, TAFE Queensland was keen to ensure that the needs of local industry would be met. “Welding has gone hightech. Advanced manufacturing is a

high priority in Queensland. Local industries, such as defence and space, need TAFE to deliver cutting edge skills. The installation of these additional simulators across the state will help us do exactly that.

TAFE Queensland will be able to support the trend towards more sovereign manufacturing capability in the wake of COVID-19, which has highlighted our reliance on overseas supply chains,” said Hargreaves.

Given the expansion of the AWTC program in Queensland, Weld Australia rolled out training for several campuses throughout September, including those located at Ashmore, Bundaberg, Cairns, Coomera Marine, Hervey Bay, Ipswich, Maryborough, Nambour and Toowoomba campuses. This

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training provided TAFE Queensland teachers with the skills and experience required to use the Soldamatic augmented reality welding machines. Weld Australia also facilitated the ISO 9606 Fusion Welding Program in Hervey Bay. The training at Maryborough also coincided with an industry open day at the TAFE Queensland campus.

Attendees learnt more about how the ISO 9606 Fusion Welding Program can help upskill staff to international standards, allowing local manufacturers to become a part of the defence supply chain.

Local MP Bruce Saunders was also in attendance.

The Queensland Government (via DSDMIP) pledged $800,000 to TAFE Queensland in 2018 to purchase the first 15 simulators. Since then, 10 simulators have been based at TAFE Queensland in Acacia Ridge, with the remaining five rotating across the other TAFE Queensland campuses in the north of the state.

Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council (TMEC) TMEC, in partnership with Skills Tasmania and Weld Australia, conducted a Welding Inspection and a Welding Supervision training program in throughout August and September. These types of courses were a first for Tasmania; prior to the introduction of these programs, industry had to travel interstate to undertake any kind of Welding Inspection training.

As a result of a fabrication skills audit conducted by TMEC, it was discovered that a significant constraint for key industry

Weld Australia: 2020 Year in Review

Queensland Premier’s Industry Collaboration Award Weld Australia would like to congratulate TAFE Queensland and Rheinmetall Defence Australia on winning the Premier’s Industry Collaboration category for the ISO 9606 Fusion Welding Program at the 2020 Queensland Training Awards.

The partnership is vital to supporting the $5.2 billion LAND 400 Phase 2 contract to build 211 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles in South East Queensland. Without ISO 9606 qualified welders Queensland engineering and manufacturing businesses would have needed to engage overseas workers. The ISO 9606 Fusion Welding Program also supports Rheinmetall’s bid for the LAND 400 Phase 3 Mounted Close Combat Capability acquisition of up to 450 Infantry Fighting Vehicles and up to 17 Manoeuvre Support Vehicles. stakeholders was the costs associated with welding supervision and inspection services. This constraint impacts on both cost and time, both of which directly affect the ability of Tasmanian businesses to compete on a global stage.

In partnership with Weld Australia, TMEC committed to building a pathway to upskill existing fabrication workers and help overcome this critical constraint.

The first course conducted by TMEC focused on the International Institute of Welding (IIW) International Welding Inspector - Basic (IWI-B) certification. This was followed by the delivery of Australia’s first Welding Supervisor AS 1796 Certificate 10 blended online training program.

Thirty participants have taken part in these programs, which will deliver a significant increase in workplace expertise to Tasmanian industry.

Importantly, TMEC assisted two TasTAFE representatives to take part in the training. Moving forward, this will help TasTAFE to increase their training capability, inspection expertise and industry currency.

Top: Training at the TAFE Queensland Maryborough campus in September.

Middle and Bottom: Training at the TAFE Queensland Ashmore campus in September.

Left: Students undertake the Welding Supervisor AS 1796 Cert 10 blended online training at TMEC in Tasmania.

Advanced Welder Training Centres

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NSW Pilot School Outreach Program Launched Weld Australia is committed to ensuring that Australia develops and maintains a world-class, modern welding workforce. To facilitate this, greater engagement in STEM skills to attract and retain younger talent is essential. The newly launched New South Wales Advanced Manufacturing School Outreach Program is designed to help excite and inform the next generation of Australian welders.

The welding industry is facing a severe shortage of skilled, qualified welders. According to a recent employment outlook survey, skilled trades workers such as welders are scarce. This skills shortage is compounded by a rapidly ageing welding workforce, with approximately 30% of Australia’s existing welding workforce aged over 45 years. Attracting and retaining younger talent through exciting and informative STEM training is a major way to combat this looming severe skills shortage.

According to Michael Pitt (National Manager Education and Training, Weld Australia), “Weld Australia is committed to ensuring that Australia develops and maintains a worldclass, modern welding workforce. To facilitate this, greater engagement in STEM skills and emerging technologies by our high school students is essential.”

“As such, Weld Australia proposed the establishment of an Advanced Manufacturing School Outreach Program to the New South Wales State Government,” said Pitt.

The Program received support from the New South Wales Government, with funding provided through the Department of Education’s Vocational Education and Training Program for Secondary Students.

Phase one of the Program has funded 16 schools across the state, from the Wagga Wagga, Lake Illawarra and Dapto high schools in southern New South Wales, through to the Gorokan and Kurri Kurri High Schools in the Lower Hunter region.

About the Program “Based around core advanced welding technology, the Program is designed to excite and inform high school students about the wide range of opportunities available in industry,” said Pitt.

“The Program is designed to not only showcase welding, but to demonstrate the possibilities made available by modern, advanced software and systems. It has a complete STEM application, and demonstrates how advanced technology fits into modern manufacturing,” said Pitt.

Students who participate in the Program will have access to augmented reality welding simulators for the first time, allowing them to fast track and maintain their welding skills in a completely safe environment.

The training delivered with the augmented reality welding simulators is student-focused, allowing individuals to progress at their own pace. Welding apprentices learn and understand procedures and techniques through a more interactive training method, gaining hands-on experience in a controlled, safe environment. With zero risks involved, students can respond to realistic scenarios without pressure or fear of injury.

The new augmented reality training welding systems will support the introduction of the new NESA Stage Six Manufacturing and Engineering course to deliver the MEM10119 Certificate I in Engineering and a Statement of Attainment towards MEM20413 Certificate II in Engineering Pathways.

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Weld Australia: 2020December Year in Review Australian Welding: 2020

2020: Weld Australia Industry Group Activities Weld Australia’s Industry Groups provide a forum for technology transfer and research and development, linking members with industry and research organisations. Weld Australia works with Industry Group members to ensure they remain diverse and resilient in the ever-changing and increasingly challenging global markets. Industry Group members engineer innovative solutions that enhance safety, manage risk, reduce cost, and optimise operating efficiency.

Power Generation Industry Group The Power Generation Industry Group’s Asset Integrity Board met in early April via videoconferencing.

The meeting was attended by representatives from AGL Energy, Alinta, Delta Electricity, Energy Australia and Weld Australia.

To begin, attendees discussed the various measures that have been implemented in the wake of COVID-19. These actions have included: • Separate shifts and modified shift rosters with virtual shift handovers • Establishment of separate control rooms (up to four) • Cleaners wiping down all surfaces before and after each shift • Maintenance crew on split shifts, with separate teams • Training and accounts personnel moved off site • Traders and corporate working from home • Subject matter experts in particular areas split onto separate teams • Shortened and delayed outages • Separate contractor welding crews established for outages and crews located in separate huts • Social distancing and segregation of teams • Use of PPE where employees

• • •

must work in close proximity Cut back of non-essential work, such as project work or maintenance like grass cutting Online meetings from office desks even for those on-site Implementation of health check questionnaires before entering a site

The key priorities of the Group were then reviewed and agreed upon.

These priorities are outlined below.

Operational Flexibility (particularly low load) and Risk Management.

Most generators are moving to flexible operations but are at various stages of implementation. It was also noted that with most people currently working from home, the load profile has changed.

Consumption in New South Wales, for instance, has decreased by 10% to 15%, and peaks and troughs have smoothed.

Process Safety. It was agreed that the Group will review major accident events, undertake risk assessments of safety critical systems and equipment and controls, investigate incidents, and share knowledge of the outcomes, culture and maturity assessments.

As a result, the Power Generation Industry Group facilitated a free online webinar in September on the

topic Process Safety: The Start of the Journey. The objective of process safety is to manage the integrity of operating systems by applying safer design principles, engineering and disciplined operating practices.

Process safety principles help prevent incidents that have the potential for a loss of control of a hazardous material or energy. In turn, this prevents severe consequences like fire, explosion and toxic effects, which may ultimately result in loss of life, extensive property damage and environmental impact.

Several industry experts spoke during the webinar, including Lara Kayess (Manager, Asset Management, Aurecon), Ralph Villarosa (Engineering Leader, Energy Australia), Ian Rawlings (Chief Mechanical Engineer, CS Energy), Ryan James (Senior Manager, Process Safety, AGL Energy) and Jon Alsop (Group Manager Engineering Services, Origin Energy). With over 65 attendees, the webinar generated a range of interesting discussions.

Asset Integrity Management.

The Group will review advanced non-destructive testing, Rem life, emerging failure modes with aging assets, robotic welding and repair.

It will also investigate knowledge management, which is required for succession planning and retiring personnel.

Industry Group Activities

Finally, it was agreed that a Turbine Working Group will be established.

It is expected that a Chair will be appointed for the group in the coming months, with participants invited to join thereafter. Weld Australia will draft brief that summarises the intent of the Turbine Working Group, as well as key priorities, which will be circulated to obtain buy in from the power generators.

Defence Industry Group Members of the Defence Industry Group expressed concern at the lack of indigenous Australians in the defence workforce. To help overcome this challenge, Weld Australia is partnering with the Indigenous Defence and Infrastructure Consortium (iDiC), BAE Systems and Indigenous Professional Services (iPS) to develop an Indigenous Welding School. A feasibility study was recently completed, and government funding is pending.

The Need for an Indigenous Welding School There is a significant need for skilled, qualified welders in Australia, driven by the defence, infrastructure and resource sectors, including the: • Hunter Class Frigates (SEA5000) • Attack Class Submarines (SEA1000) • LAND 400 Phase 2 (and potentially Phase 3) According to Geoff Crittenden (CEO, Weld Australia), “Over 1,200 qualified welders will be needed to meet the demands of defence and

infrastructure projects over the next decade. Across all these projects, Australian industry capability development must be a key focus to meet demand. Growing Australia’s workforce of internationally certified welders is a critical piece of this capability puzzle.”

Michael McLeod (Chairman, iDiC) emphasised that an Indigenous Welding School will provide a culturally-safe model with the right support, and a structured pathway to employment opportunities via industry collaboration. “The importance of creating employment and economic opportunities for indigenous and other underrepresented groups cannot be understated,” said McLeod.

The Training Remit The School will train indigenous and disadvantaged students and qualify them to AS/NZS ISO 96061 Qualification testing of welders — Fusion welding, which is the minimum standard required for employment as welders in defence and infrastructure projects.

It is envisaged that graduates of the School will be ideally qualified for apprentice training to Certificate III and have the potential to follow an advanced trade or technical engineering pathway. Key to the success of the partnership is the engagement of the Indigenous community through iDiC and the recruitment and pastoral services to be supplied by iPS.

25

According to Adam Goodes (CEO, iDiC), “We want to see hundreds of indigenous welders play a key role in building Australia’s future.

From our shipyards and oil and gas infrastructure, to our high-rise buildings and highways.”

It is proposed that the school is established at the Tonsley Innovation Hub, where the facilities and expertise of TAFE SA, Hunter Research and Technology and Flinders University can be leveraged to deliver training and develop microcredentials for an ongoing pathway.

Weld Australia Set to Launch Rail Industry Group Welding is a core capability critical in the delivery of rail projects, as well as the maintenance, repair and refurbishment of existing assets. As such, Weld Australia’s Rail Industry Group will help improve welding capability, facilities and supply chains throughout the rail industry.

Weld Australia has a wide portfolio of accomplished work in the rail industry on infrastructure, as well as multiple fleets of trams, metropolitan trains, regional trains, and freights transport. We believe now is the right time to launch a Rail Industry Group.

The purpose of the Rail Industry Group will be to: 1. Bring the welding capability of the rail industry and its supply chain to international best practice 2. Advocate for a national railcar and wagon fabrication facility and supply chain

Become an Industry Group Member

Industry Group meetings are held two to three times a year in one of the state capitals.

Contact Alistair Forbes (National Manager Corporate Businesses, Weld Australia) on a.forbes@weldaustralia.com.au to become an Industry Group member today.

26

Weld Australia: 2020 Year in Review

2020: Member Surveys To meet the needs of members in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Weld Australia developed two surveys to capture the thoughts and challenges for the welding and fabrication sector. Both surveys were sent to senior business leaders within the industry, and specifically focused on the impact of COVID-19 on existing operations and the pipeline of upcoming work. The first survey was distributed in May, which sought responses based on the initial impacts of the pandemic. In August, the second survey was developed, which focused on the economic impacts of COVID-19 and the industry’s pipeline of projects. Through the two surveys, several keys issues came to light, allowing Weld Australia to strategically allocate resources and offer support.

Loss of Income In Survey One, a loss of income was reported by almost half of survey respondents (at 47%). Three months on, almost two thirds of respondents (at 64%) to Survey Two indicated that they had lost income due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A 17% increase in just three months is of significant concern for the industry.

When it came to quantifying their loss in income, responses varied considerably. In Survey Two, companies reported having lost anywhere from $4,000 right up to $100 million already. This was a marked increase on Survey One, which indicated that the highest loss in income was $50 million.

Forward estimates of future losses from Survey Two respondents were as high as $250 million for one company, and 50% of all earnings for another. Again, this was a marked increase on our previous survey, in which the largest forward estimate of future losses was $100 million for one company.

Pipeline of Work Survey One indicated that the cause of the negative impacts experienced by welders and fabricators, particularly a loss of income, was linked to disruptions in their pipeline of work. These disruptions included: postponed work (58%); uncertain forward order book (41%); lack of new work and tender opportunities (38%); and cancelled work (29%).

As such, Survey Two was designed

to explore these disruptions to the pipeline of work in further detail.

A majority of respondents indicated that the COVID-19 pandemic has had a negative impact on their pipeline of work: 36% indicated that their pipeline of work is quickly drying up, while another 12% indicated that their pipeline is already completely empty. Only 34% of respondents confirmed that their pipeline of work is about the same as it was before the outbreak of COVID-19.

When asked how many months ahead their pipeline of work usually extends, the most common answers were two months (at 31%), more than six months (24%), and four months (at 16%). In comparison, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the most common answers were less than one month (at 28%), one month (19%), and two months (16%).

These results correlate with reports that Weld Australia has received from its members. The feedback from industry is that, while projects commenced prior to March 2020 have continued, momentum is now waning. Many large private companies have postponed scheduled maintenance work, while others are reluctant to commit to any capital expenditure programs given the uncertainty of the global economy. The result is that there is no new work coming down the pipeline.

Respondents indicated that, if their pipeline of work does not improve, the most common effect on their

business will be a reduction in staff hours (at 64%), followed by the possibility that they might be forced to shut their doors (at 52%). Other effects include that staff will be laid off (at 29%), apprentices will be laid off (19%), and creditors will go unpaid (10%).

In order to strengthen their pipeline of work, respondents indicated that major private companies must continue with planned maintenance and shut down work (at 74%), and the government must fast-track major infrastructure projects to help strengthen the pipeline of work within the welding and fabrication industry (at 72%). Other means by which to strengthen the pipeline of work included governments fasttracking smaller projects like public housing and schools (at 38%), and the government extending JobKeeper payments (at 25%).

Given the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the industry’s pipeline of work, it is little wonder that business confidence is low. Over 54% of respondents to Survey Two believe that their business prospects over the next six months are either weak, or very weak. On average, respondents are only 67% certain that their business will still be in operation in 12 months’ time.

Employee Impacts With the majority of respondents reporting negative impacts as a result of COVID-19, it makes sense that employees also experienced negative effects. 21% of

27

Member Surveys

respondents to Survey One indicated all of their employees had been negatively affected, with another 39% indicating that most employees had been negatively affected.

The type of employees most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic were those on the workshop floor (48%), followed by middle management (39%), site workers (30%), contractors and subbies (30%) and senior management (24%).

64%

71%

Of businesses lost income due to COVID-19

Of businesses have not accessed JobKeeper

Impact on Employees

86% Have not laid off staff

Given the extent of these effects, Survey Two delved deeper into the subject to identify the specific impacts on employees.

76%

49%

Have not stood down staff

Have not reduced staff hours

Although a majority of businesses reported a loss of earnings, the Impact on Pipeline of Work impact on employees has been relatively mitigated. 86% of Survey 17% 34% 36% Two respondents have not laid I have more My pipeline of My pipeline of off staff and 76% have not stood work than I did work is about work is quickly down staff. It seems that survey pre-COVID the same drying up respondents are coping with reduced revenue by reducing staff hours (with 51% reporting that staff hours had been reduced), rather than resorting to stand downs or lay offs.

Measures Needed to Strengthen the Pipeline of Work When asked about the impact of COVID-19 on the mental health of their workforce, it was clear the pandemic had taken its toll.

Business owners felt that 48% of their workforce had been negatively impacted, while 30% of business owners admitted experiencing negative mental health impacts.

12%

My pipeline of work is empty

74%

Major private companies must continue with maintenance

72%

The government must fast-track major infrastructure projects

38%

The government must fast-track smaller projects

25%

The government must continue JobKeeper for longer

Positive Impacts

Further Information

While 20% of respondents to Survey One reported that their business had not experienced any positive impact as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, not everything was bad news. Some welding and fabrication businesses reported improved internal processes and procedures (41%); opportunities to innovate (29%); built a better team culture (26%); secured new clients (8%); diversified products or services (8%); increased orders or work (5%); increased demand (5%); and increased income (3%). Survey Two indicated that 17% of companies actually had more work than they did prior to the outbreak of COVID-19. This is in line with conversations that Weld Australia’s leadership team had with members. Although some members indicated that the volume of their work has dropped, others were actually busier than usual. This increase in work can be attributed to onshoring due to interrupted international supply chains.

For further information: • Download a summary of the Survey One Results •

Download a summary of the Survey Two Results

•

Download an in-depth analysis of both survey results: The Impact of COVID-19 on the Welding Industry

•

Contact membership@ weldaustralia.com.au.

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Weld Australia: 2020 Year in Review

2020: The Changing Face of Australian Standards Australian Standards are dynamic documents, with changes constantly made to reflect progresses in science, technology and systems. To ensure their relevancy, Standards come under periodic review, with amendments and revised editions published. Activity within the standards arena in Australia has been busy throughout 2020. A number of standards across a range of areas have been revised and others are in the process of being updated or replaced by relevant ISO standards.

Pressure Equipment As previously reported, the revision of AS/NZS 3992 Pressure equipment—Welding and brazing qualification was completed late in 2018 and a public review draft was released in July 2019. The Standard was published as AS 3992 on 9 June 2020.

Committee ME-001 has initiated the revision of AS 1796 Certification of welders and welding supervisors and preparation of an initial draft is well advanced. It will most likely be available for public comment in the second quarter of 2021. The draft will include items from other pressure equipment standards including new provisions for a pressure equipment welding inspector. Separate to the above, ME-001 has completed the balloting of the latest revision of AS 2592 Boilers—Safety management and supervision systems.

Once work on this Standard is resolved, it will allow the project proposal on the revision of AS/NZS 3788 Pressure equipment— In‑service inspection to be finalised and submitted to Standards Australia.

Steel Structures During 2019, Committee BD-001 worked on the preparation of public review drafts for the revision of two of its Standards: AS/NZS 5131 Structural steelwork - Fabrication and erection, and AS 4100 Steel structures. The public review drafts

were then released in June 2019.

Due to technical changes made during the resolution of comments received, updated drafts were released for a second round of public comment and subsequent committee ballot.

The changes to the standards were published on 14 August 2020 and 21 August 2020 respectively.

The revision removed fabrication requirements from AS 4100 and referenced AS/NZS 5131 in lieu.

AS/NZS 5131 was accordingly amended to satisfy Australian Building Codes Board requirements as a secondary reference in the Building Code of Australia.

Welding of Structures The draft amendment to correct an error within AS/NZS 2980 Qualification of welders for fusion welding of steels—Additional requirements for Australia and New Zealand was released for public comment in July 2019, and public comment received has been resolved. The amendment was published in March 2020.

Preparation of a public review draft of the revision of AS/NZS 1554.2 Structural steel welding—Part 2: Stud welding (steel studs to steel) has been completed and was released for public review in July 2020.

The draft took cognisance of the relevant ISO standards, and to this end, ISO 13918 has been adopted as AS/NZS ISO Welding ‑ Studs and ceramic ferrules for arc stud welding

for stud materials, providing for the use of stainless steel studs and studs for wear applications.

Non-Destructive Testing Committee MT‑007 reviewed Australia’s aged non-destructive testing Standards and adopted the equivalent ISO Standards as AS ISO Standards.

The non-destructive testing processes affected include magnetic particle, liquid penetrant, eddy current and ultrasonic thickness testing. The new editions were published in April 2020. In all cases, whilst the impending adoptions align the test methods with international requirements, imperfection acceptance criteria as defined in the application Standards, remain unchanged.

As previously indicated, consideration on the replacement of AS 2207 Non‑destructive testing— Ultrasonic testing of fusion welded joints in carbon and low alloy steels and the AS 2177 series (Non‑destructive testing— Radiography of welded butt joints on metal) by their ISO equivalent has been deferred at this point in time.

Pipelines Committee ME‑038 revised AS/NZS 2885.2 Pipelines—Gas and liquid petroleum Part 2: Welding with a modified public review draft closing for public comment and committee ballot in January 2020. The revised standard was published in May 2020.

31

Australian Standards

Part 3 of AS/NZS 2885 Pipelines— Gas and liquid petroleum Part 3: Operation and maintenance was also revised and public comments that have been received are currently being resolved.

ISO Adoptions A number of welding related ISO standards were adopted by Australia in 2020, including ISO 14731 Welding coordination – Tasks and responsibilities, ISO 6947 as AS/NZS 3545 Welding positions, and SA/SNZ ISO TR 15608 Welding— Guidelines for a metallic materials grouping system.

ISO 5173 Bend tests has been adopted as AS/NZS 2205.3.1, and has superseded both AS 2205.3.1 and AS 2205.3.3. It was published on 5 June 2020. ISO 3821 was also adopted as AS/NZS 1335 Gas welding equipment—Rubber

hoses for welding, cutting and allied processes, and was published in May 2020.

ISO Update ISO TC44/SC10 commenced the revision of the ISO 3834 Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials series of standards, primarily to take cognisance of changes to ISO 9001 and the 2019 edition of ISO 14731.

Similarly, ISO TC44/SC11 has commenced the revision of ISO 9606-1 Qualification testing of welders—Fusion welding—Part 1: Steels with the intention of combining all five parts into the one standard. This will simplify the ongoing maintenance and review requirements for the standards as parts 2 to 5 of ISO 9606-1 are in need of revision.

The initial meeting was held in April 2020 and a number of followup meetings have been held. The initial draft has been completed and is currently being prepared for circulation for comment by National Bodies including Standards Australia. Australia is participating in the revision process on both ISO sub-committees.

2021 The coming year will be just as busy in terms of revisions and updates, with many of the proposed changes expected to be finalised and published in 2021.

Australia will also continue to support the revisions to ISO standards relevant to Australia.

Weld Australia members will be kept informed through regular updates in Australian Welding magazine.

Register on the AWCR Today

How to Register 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

The AWCR was developed and is managed

by Weld Australia. It provides a national framework for qualifying and testing welders to International Standard AS/NZS ISO 9606-1, and provides a raft of benefits for welders and industry alike.

Go to www.awcr.org.au Click on ‘Click Here to Register’ Click on ‘Create an Account’ Enter your contact details Verify your email address Login and complete your profile

AWCR

Australian Welder Certification Register

+61 2 8748 0100 | www.awcr.org.au | awcr@weldaustralia.com.au | www.weldaustralia.com.au

28 28

Australian Weld Australia: Welding: 2020December Year in Review 2020

2020: What Weld Australia Members Have to Say Weld Australia’s members are made up of individual welding professionals, as well as companies of all sizes. In fact, Weld Australia members are involved in almost every facet of Australian industry and make a significant contribution to the nation’s economy. We recently spoke with a number of our members, eliciting their feedback on our activities, services and membership benefits. This is what they had to say.

Peter Buckley (General Manager, NEPEAN Engineering & Innovation)

connect with our workforce, which is particularly important with such a male dominated workforce.”

“NEPEAN Engineering & Innovation joined Weld Australia because the organisation is the peak body, representing the industry for welding innovation, technology, and knowledge. We decided that we wanted to partner with Weld Australia to enhance our engineering knowledge and ability, and ensure we continue to remain at the cutting edge of welding technology.”

“We are looking forward to participating in Weld Australia’s networking events in person (post COVID-19), and connecting with more people in the industry.”

“As the peak industry body, Weld Australia has the power to understand what industry wants and needs, and to lobby decision makers about everything from major projects, through to the technical aspects of welding. Really, part of our business success is being connected with Weld Australia.”

“Since joining, we have put one of our employees through Weld Australia’s International Welding Engineer (IWE) training and certification. We’ve accessed a range of resources, like technical notes and publications. We have also attended several free webinars that provided industry updates, as well as important information on mental health. In particular, we engaged in the webinar facilitated by Gus Worland from Gotcha4Life to help

John Bourke (General Manager, Macfab Engineering) “Macfab decided two years ago to obtain AS/NZS ISO 3834 certification as a way of improving the quality of our welded products, and manufacturing and quality processes. We believed that improving the quality of our welding would give us access to a wider rage of customers, increase the knowledge of our welders and also help our profitability.”

“Macfab Engineering was very appreciative of the support provided to us by Weld Australia, who provided us with a framework to systematically work through to achieve our aim. They never tired of our questions.”

“The welding requirements are continuing to become more complex, so it has been very valuable to us, to have a body that we can call-on to get their opinion on our questions.

If we have complex welding

questions or issues, that we want to substantiate our opinion on, we have sort Weld Australia’s opinion. Even though Macfab Engineering employs welding engineers, supervisors, inspectors and quality welders, we have still found the need to ask Weld Australia for clarification on some questions.”

“We also distribute the Weld Australia magazine widely within our company, as it is a good source of relevant information.”

Vicky Bowden (Chief Financial Officer, Mainetec) “Our business has evolved over the last couple of years from a rebuild facility to be more heavily focused on manufacturing and the processes that drive it. We now have a fully accredited welding supervisor. We joined Weld Australia for support in our journey to train our welding supervisor. This has included the provision of best practice information, which in turn helps us to continually refine and improve our manufacturing and quality assurance processes.”

“We mainly use the Weld Connect publication as an information source.

We are currently also looking at the possibility of offering some mental health fitness training to our employees, through Weld Australia’s collaboration with Gotcha4Life. We

Member Testimonials

29

The Lachlan’s Line bridge in Sydney, fabricated by S+L Steel.

have always received good and helpful service in using any of the products and resources that Weld Australia offers.”

“Industry Standards are continually moving and, due to resource constraints, these are often harder for small to medium sized businesses to track and react to. Weld Australia can certainly support the wider industry through being a ‘source of truth’ for those changes in Standards so that businesses have time to adapt and change, where needed.”

“Weld Australia also has a big part to play in advocating for the industry as a whole, by showcasing the wide range of career options available to school leavers so that the industry continues to thrive and grow on home soil here in Australia. Being a member of Weld Australia also benefits member companies by demonstrating their commitment to a high standard for their own activities, which can then be promoted to current and prospective clients.”

Javier Lorenzo (Director, S+L Steel) “S+L Steel has been working with Weld Australia (formerly the WTIA) since the 1990s. As a welding and fabrication business, a close working relationship with Weld Australia aligns perfectly with the core of our

operations. Weld Australia is always up-to-date with all the Australian and international Standards and regularly disseminates this information to members. The types of jobs we take on—such as those with Roads and Maritime Services in New South Wales—have very high standards for welds and quality control. Given these strict requirements, there is a real need for us to partner up with Weld Australia.”

“Weld Australia has assisted us with certification to AS/NZS ISO 3834 – without this, we cannot tender for high quality jobs. In addition, whenever we have technical queries about welding, we trust Weld

Australia’s expert team to provide the correct answers. The team is very helpful and encouraging.”

“The welding industry is not very big in Australia, compared to other countries. Weld Australia is helping to train apprentices in welding and helping TAFEs to encourage apprentices to join the welding industry. This is vital for the future, and growth, of our industry. In addition, Weld Australia provides in-depth courses for qualified welders, such as International Welding Engineers, inspectors and supervisors. Some of our personnel have completed these courses and found them highly beneficial.”

Weld Australia Membership Types •

Individual Membership: Individual membership is open to apprentices, tradesmen, inspectors, supervisors, technologists, engineers, academics and others with an interest in welding.

•

Corporate Membership: Corporate membership is open to all companies associated with welding or related activities.

•

Industry Groups Membership: Industry Groups identify and meet the critical welding needs of key Australian markets, such as mining, power, construction, defence, and oil and gas.

•

Free Apprentice Membership: As part of our ongoing commitment to nurturing the next generation of skilled welders in Australia, Weld Australia is pleased to offer apprentice welders free membership.

•

Free TAFE Membership: Weld Australia is proud to support, and encourage development of, Australian TAFEs and their teachers, which is why we are pleased to offer free membership to both.

Weld Australia: 2020 Year in Review

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Securing the Future of Australia’s Welding Industry

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office@weldaustralia.com.au

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