The Association for Welding, Fabrication, Training and Education AWFTE

Education and Training Organisation Membership

The AWFTE was founded in 1990 by The Welding Institute and promotes the following principal objectives to enable:

• management and staff of UK colleges and training establishments to keep abreast of current national, European and international trends and developments relevant to the sector
• The dissemination of the latest information about standards, technical innovations, national occupational standards and qualifications, and skills competitions
• To develop links to key organisations including DfES, DfWP, Sector Skills Councils, QCA/SQA and the Awarding Bodies
• To provide forums for the discussion of important issues for the sector and representation of the views of Members to the relevant authorities and organisations
• To promote the benefits of continuing professional development participation by Members in development projects related to the sector

AWFTE achievements

• a well supported Annual Conference attracting high level speakers from all the key organisations in education and training
• the publication of a quarterly newsletter exclusive to Members
• the establishment of the SkillWELD competition
• the production of the student recruitment video 'Wonder of Welding' available free to Members
• the launch of the project to establish the National Welder Training Standard
• a key role with TWI in the development of the new portfolio of much improved National Occupational Standards for welding and fabrication at Levels 2, 3 and 4
• the establishment with SEMTA of a cross-sector Fabrication Group to manage Standards and Assessment Strategy Development
• a good, productive working relationship with the Sector Skills Councils in engineering including membership of the cross-sector group overseeing implementation of the new standards
• links with Government Departments, the Learning and Skills Council and Regulatory Bodies provide a forum for discussing funding rates, trends in provision and future strategy
• the development of the concept of an integrated system for welding training and qualification at all levels

Benefits for Education and Training Organisations

Membership of AWFTE is open to all organisations and individuals involved or interested in the education, training and qualification of welders, fabricators, welding engineers and other technical personnel.

eBnefits include:

• nomination of up to three Members of staff to receive all AWFTE communications
• an Annual Conference where key issues are discussed face to face with those who set the policies and rules
• Free participation for one delegate at the Annual Conference
• all staff to benefit from the special Member rates for the Annual Conference and other services
• a quarterly newsletter
• a high quality Perspex wall plaque for display in your reception area
• evidence of staff development through participation in AWFTE events
• CPD evidence for individuals
• participating in projects such as the development of National Welder Training Standard
• being in a position to review draft Occupational Standards and Assessment Strategy
• access to a network of contacts with common interests and problems
• access to news of the latest national, European and international developments and trends
• liaise with the key players in education, training and qualification including Government Agencies, Regulatory Bodies, Sector Skills Councils and Awarding Bodies
• raising the industry and public profile of welding and fabrication through the national SkillWELD competition and the welding content of World Skills

AWFTE plans to:

• push forward the development of the National Welder Training Standard
• transform the Fabrication Group into a national body relating to QCA and relevant Sector Skills Councils
• develop the role of the Annual Conference
• strengthen continuously the ties with all relevant organisations to improve the influence of AWFTE on future policies
• increase its influence on discussions related to funding
• produce a new recruitment video
• extend the impact of the SkillWELD competition and the welding/fabrication feature of the Skills Show to raise further the profile of our craft and technology
• establish a national database for welding and fabrication facilities in colleges and training organisations

AWFTE seeks:

• the active support of all organisations and individuals interested in education and training in welding, joining and fabrication to continue its efforts to secure the future survival of soundly based teaching and training in this sector
• a significant growth in Membership so that it may derive greater influence as the representative of the majority of establishments where welding and fabrication is taught.

Membership fee:

The Membership fee contributes towards the running costs of the AWFTE including newsletter, conference organisation, liaison with other bodies and general administration.

The fees for 1 April 2009 - 31 March 2010 are: £275.00 + VAT

Application Form

Contact us at:

AWFTE
C/o The Welding Institute
Granta Park
Great Abington
Cambridge CB21 6AL, UK
UK
Tel: + 44 (0) 1223 899000
Fax: + 44 (0) 1223 894219
E-mail: twi_awfte@twi.co.uk