Welding Education In India

Synopsis

The Indian Welding Industry has done well as a contributor to national economy and industrial progress. In doing so, technological advancement has been a key factor which has prepared the industry to face the turbulent times with requisite confidence.The welding fraternity and professional bodies have ensured forward movements through regular technical seminars, which also helped researchers, young and not so young. These efforts have sustained industrial growth.

Ador’s role in training

For Ador, since our inception we have touched the lives of more than 60,000 welding professionals. We kept on deliberating on welding skills training and education from time to time through various platforms such as the Welding School (1960 -1990), the Ador Institute of Welding Technology – AIWT (1991 – 2011), Ador Welding Academy Pvt. Ltd. (2012 –2020). From India to the Middle East and many other parts of the world, these welders and engineers are a testimony to the quality of theory and practical training they have acquired at our training division.

Vocational Training

Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) are Government managed / regulated supply for vocational education which has traditionally been the mainstay of the skill development segment until recently and are the core centres for providing vocational training in the Welding Trade.

(a) Keeping in mind the current levels of Manufacturing practice and technologies, the criteria for teachers/instructors in ITIs need to be revised, for making the vocational education delivery effective. Our ‘TRAIN the TRAINERS’ modules will surely help in creating a more effective Teacher group at the ITIs.

(b) According to the NSDC report on skill requirements in the Education and Skill Development Sector it is estimated that the developing training institutes with industry infrastructure will ease the investment needed from educational institutions particularly for technical skills and education. Structured programs for teacher training particularly in technical sector require industry exposure.

Ador Welding Training Division offers its knowledge partnership for institutes, vocational training enterprises and industry to create skilled manpower for welding manufacture of global quality. Our Knowledge Partnership will deliver:

• The best-in-class welding practice shop – fully compliant with health, safety and environment norms.
• Supplies include all types of welding equipment, ergonomic and fully equipped welding booths with protective curtains, fume extraction facility at each booth, Workbench with fitted vices and all necessary accessories and tools.
• A wide range of field-tested, employability-based training modules, across the skill spectrum; from entry level to pipe welders to supervisors to welding inspectors.
• Comprehensive training content and delivery material, which the faculty can use for effective learning of candidates. It includes digital as well as hard documentation.
• Training of Trainers
• Assessment & certification
• Assistance to eligible candidates for gainful employment.

(c) The NCVT approved current ONE YEAR CURRICULUM needs to be supplemented with a SHORT-MODULE, to enable the students acquire MINIMAL EMPLOYABLE SKILLS as required by the industry. We have developed a specific Module called – BASEWELD -2, which the industry believes will enable the ITI pas- outs improve their competence for job enrichment.

Status of Welding Engineering Education

Commensurate with the projected growth in the Manufacturing and Infrastructure sectors of the economy, there is huge potential of requirement of a large number of Welders, Welding Supervisors, Certified Engineers, Certified Inspectors and Technicians for employment in shop floors and project sites and opportunities for SELF-EMPLOYMENT among enterprising, skilled youngsters to set up their own service business. It is estimated that the current welding workforce employed in India is of the order of about 800,000 and that the projected requirement to meet the infrastructure build-up plans and manufacturing growth targets, over the next ten years, is likely to be of the order of 1.5-2 million. The same requirement is there for developing economies in Africa, South-East Asia, and all of India’s neighbours. The U.S. Bureau of Labour Statistics projects that there will be an annual average of 43,400 welding job openings nationwide between now and 2029.

The pattern of engineering education is changing fast, hence there is the need for close interaction between welding industry and academia in formulating academic courses and establishing adequate facilities at educational institutes.

Supervision and Inspection has become an integral part of quality construction. So, Welding Skills Training and Education of Welders, Welding Engineers and Welding Inspectors is the need of the hour for any industry engaged in fabrication to compete in the world market. We should examine the curriculum for degree and diploma courses in welding engineering offered by institutes.
Immediate needs are for diploma courses at selected polytechnics to turn out reasonable number of qualified welding technicians. Two levels of courses are required:

• Elementary course as a part of mechanical engineering course, and
• Advanced course for students who want to specialize in welding after securing diploma in mechanical engineering.

The Ador training division helps to equip participants with welding skills, through an industry-recognised qualification, and position them very strongly to kick-start a new career in welding. Partnerships are also available with Polytechnic and BE Institutes for Certificate programs in Welding Production, Quality and Inspection that will create improved employability opportunities.

To provide suitable employment opportunities, Government sponsors many projects directly and indirectly to reach out to those segments of our country’s population which have experienced alarmingly high levels of unemployment.It’s all a matter of connecting the right people with the right jobs — and the right training.

Ador Welding Training Division plays a significant role in filling the gap between welding industry- academia and reduce the shortage of competent people in welding trade at all levels through its well-designed training programs which focuses on preparing students to become welders in the field in addition to managers, foremen, welding inspectors, and engineers. Our knowledge partnerships and close involvement with the industry shop floors, inspection and approving agencies and design consultants have helped us acquire and accumulate valuable insights into the needs and aspirations of the industry.

Educational institutes will have to play a predominant role and try their best through their contacts, students, and alumni base to counsel the youth on a career in welding which can lead to jobs building race cars, making aircraft and ships, or working on an oil rig in the ocean. There is high demand for skilled welders, who earn high wages in a variety of industries and initiatives on collaborating with reputed welding training institutes like ours.