What industry expects from welding trainers?

Welding being one of the most crucial jobs in nation building and it requires a large number of highly skilled professionals and trained workforce. And welding trainers play the most important role of training the new entrants. The role of a welding trainer becomes important and necessary, as they bring their work experience into the classroom. They not only instruct and demonstrate their skills to the students, but also guide the students in their hands-on work, assess them, offer suggestions, correct any unsafe and poor welding techniques. All this put together contribute towards bringing out well-trained welding professionals in the country. Therefore, it becomes necessary to understand what industry expects from the welding trainers and how can they keep themselves updated with advancements in the welding technologies.

What industry expects from welding trainers?

Manufacturers and end-user demands are ever-rising due to the advancements in the base-metals and they also have higher expectations from their trainers than ever before in the domain of joining these base materials by welding. Only the knowledge on the basic competencies in welding and related trades are no longer going to be enough. At every level of manufacturing, right from the production line to plant maintenance and finished goods area, welding quality and aesthetics play a vital role.

Welding instructors are expected to have typically worked for several years in the industry to gain professional experience before becoming teachers. An ideal welding trainer must have an extensive background in some combination of manufacturing, weld-design, IOT (Internet of Things) in welding, elementary materials science, welding safety and a basic knowledge about welding metallurgy.

Welding trainers are also expected to understand the latest IOT enabled 21st century advanced technology products and processes and use them to their fullest potential. It has increased the demand for comprehensive skills and knowledge, and Fronius is one such organisation which is preparing the next generation of welders, welding managers and the welding trainers to reap the benefits of latest technologies.

Upskilling of welding instructors

With advancements in technology, welding instructors are expected to keep themselves upskilled and updated. Welding trainers must be aware of the latest welding techniques along with conventional welding techniques. Welding trainers must expose themselves to the advanced technologies that have expanded the potential of this trade. Some of these technologies are robotic welding and automation; corrosion resistant alloy cladding, etc. Welding instructors must also know to innovate the algorithms of intelligent revolution technology which has become an integral part of advanced manufacturing operations throughout a broad and global customer base.

Welding instructors are primarily employed in manufacturing industries, although some of them upgrade their trade through informal training by associating with various professional bodies of welding. Welding instructors can also acquire certification and learn through attending a post-secondary diploma program starting as a welding specialist leading to an associate degree through the professional bodies like Indian Institute of Welding/Indian Welding Society, etc. which can also fetch jobs beyond shores.

Related Article: Here’s how Virtual Welding can be a part of the blended learning strategy – Read More: https://nationalskillsnetwork.in/heres-how-virtual-welding-can-be-a-part-of-the-blended-learning-strategy/

On-the-job experience for welding instructors

On-the-job training and exposure is essential for welding instructors. Welding instructors should be committed to acquire the knowledge in welding through hands-on strategies by utilising the advanced technology welding power sources, like both the manual and robotic. During the on-the-job training, some of the best practices in welding must be shared with the welding educators at every level in various manufacturing sectors, so that they can impart the same to the students.

Welding profession is an art. The pathways to nurture this profession should commence from high school and college level, then the career development can move on to the senior management level and beyond. Awareness on latest welding equipment and the applications in advanced fields has to brought in to the personnel interested to pursue this profession.