I know they don't have any reciprocity with AWS for CWI, but how close are the programs to being equivalent? If they aren't, where does the IIS/IIW/EWF program fall short?
There are many certification programs available around the world.
I haven't encountered this one. Joe Kane has been exposed to and more knowledge of other certification programs than I have. He may be able to help us with this one.
The document you provided simply outlines the body of knowledge and doesn't say much about the nature of the certification examinations or of the certification program.
CSWIP is fine, but these guys have EWF. They have a letter issued by IIW (who certifies the EWF inspector) establishing various equivalencies between EWF and CSWIP levels of inspector, but I have no confirmation of these equivalences on the part of CSWIP. (Anyone can issue a letter saying, "I'm just as good as those other guys over there"; what really means something is a letter saying, "Those guys over there are just as good as me.")
I don't have an answer for you. I was just commenting that usually EU inspectors are CSWIP. I find it a bit odd for them to be going into something entirely different when CSWIP is more or less accepted world wide.
What i understand is when u passed a CSWIP 3.1, u will be issued a CSWIP 3.1 stamp, Certificate + a eligibility letter to "register" as an EU Inspector. I saw my friend (CSWIP Inspector) having 2 additional stamps... namely "International Inspector" and "EU Inspector". At the begining, I though he made it by himself but found out later those stamps are associated with the CSWIP Certification. Only thing i am not very sure is... EU Inspector is registered under which organization.
EU inspector is registered under the European welding federation, TWI is an authorized national body of IIW, and EWF. This also goes back to ukas. United Kingdom accreditation services. This further ties back to Some of the international classification/certification/qualification societies (IACS international association of classification societies) For which there are 10 members world wide. (They don't just do ships, LLoyds Register, DNV, Bureau Veritas, GL group etc. I work for one of the ten)
Therefore it is my understanding that the EWF and IIW are blessed coming and going. I think this also answers the original question as well. They can go through the IIW, it's just unusual as most go through CSWIP and EFW. I invite all reading to verify for themselves on this.
Would you say, then, that if a CSWIP certification is required, I might comfortably accept an EWF Welding Inspector, qualified by exam administered by IIW, as a rough equivalent?
Hi All I believe I have a reasonable knowledge of IIW qualifications, as I helped to implement the system in Australia, and was running courses for the only authorized training body for distance education for the IWS (TAFESA) my understanding is the EWF was the qualification system that was driven out of German for many years, the IIW used the EWF model as the basis for the world wide IIW qualification system which includes multiple levels for both inspectors and coordinators, both of which are referenced in ISO 3834 welding quality requirements there are three levels of inspectors, comprehensive, standard and basic and four levels of what they call coordinators for the want of a better term Practitioner, specialist, technologists and engineers each has the prefix welding, EG. Welding engineer etc
generally each IIW member country (there are 38, which includes the UK, US and Aust) issues their own national qualification in addition to the IIW qualification/s but not necessarily together, the IIW qualifications are quiet comprehensive if you look at the syllabus document and some would say unrealistic in the hours they allocate to the amount of subject matter
I am unsure if the AWS(cwi) and TWI(cswip) has implemented a system as yet, as their Inspection qualification systems are well renown around the globe anyway, I believe the model of an international qualification is a great idea if it is implemented properly as the welding trade would be possibly the only trade to have such a program which would benefit individuals and employers greatly, after all welding is pretty much the same world around other than the codes which the Australian codes are a mixture of US and UK derivatives anyway it will be interesting to see if the IIW programs do get embraced by industry in their respective countries If done properly it will be great for all of us I welcome others thoughts and comments on extent of use of these qualifications in their respective countries Regards Flash www.technoweld.com.au
Hi Flash, I am a Kiwi based in Australia and I have a question regarding the IIW system. I obtained my CBIP qualifications as a Welding Inspector in NZ in 1986 after 11 years as a pipe welder and 4 years as a radiographer. As you are well aware the CBIP qualifications are recognised by the majority of Australian codes. After completing my 5 year renewal I continued to work overseas with the occasional job in Australia and when my 10 year renewal came up I was surprised to find that the New Zealand government had withdrawn funding for CBIP and there was nothing I could do about renewal. The authority who issued my Welding Inspectors certificate no longer existed. Apparently AINDT took over the testing for a while but it was impossible for me to work overseas and be able to get back and attend a retest on a specific date if it didn't match my R&R schedule. I was forwarded the application form for IIW reciprical arrangements by a colleague from WTIA but found that to be eligible you had to have an engineering degree or have completed a recognised apprenticeship.I only managed to complete 3 of the required 4 years of my apprenticeship due to personal reasons. I fulfilled the original requirements to sit my Welding Inspectors certificate, I passed the exam then I spent 10 years working predominantly in the Oil and Gas industries, I have numerous friends in the WTIA hierachy who would attest to my ability as a Welding Inspector and yet I am not eligible because I didn't complete my apprenticeship.?? Your thoughts or advice would be greatly appreciated, Regards, Shane
By Flash
Date 02-02-2008 06:48
Hi Shane HERA in NZ are a IIW ATB (authorised training body), If i was you I would start with them, I know they are authorised for IWS I do not know about IWIP, I too heard that the NZ gov withdrew funding for CBIP as far as I know the access conditions for IIW diplomas at the IWS and the IWIS (IIW Inspection standard level) is a certificate in engineering, the level is not specified so any certificate would be fine according to the letter of the system in australia, I think they mean minimum cert 3 and above
In Aust cert 3 is typically an apprenticeship but not necessarily cert 4 is advanced cert cert 5 is a diploma
if you look at the cert 4 and/or a diploma in engineering there is a NDT stream under the competency unit system (MSA manufacturing skills australia system), which should meet the entry requirements as it is a Eng certificate, diploma in Eng meets entry requirements for IIW comprehsive level inspection I know there is also an alternative route for entry to examination which by the sounds of it you would fit into with your experience and prior training (CBIP) course If this does not bear any fruit maybe try to obtain the WTIA inspection qualification using your NDT qualifications as a basis, and use this as a progression point to IIW if thats what you want I know it is a difficult situation for NDT techs but I am sure a few have progressed through the ranks before you do not takle all this as gosspil but I think you will find it is pretty close I hope this helps good luck R Flash www.technoweld.com.au
Unrealistic is putting it mildly. Most of the world either accepts the CSWIP or CWI certs, if not both. In my opinion, the idea of throwing in anything else is just going over the top. There is a move towards internationally recognized certifications such as is found in ISO 9712, but it has to be something realistic. After reading through IIW syllabus I don't think they are being realistic. I just don't see world wide acceptance of IIW's plan if for no other reason than cost. One way or another we are headed to a world standard, sooner or later, and that standard has to be acceptable to all, not just a select few.
Apparently those with CSWIP certifications are eligible for IIW diplomas; it doesn't seem to be the case vice versa. TWI doesn't like the IIW diplomas because they're good for life and there's no proof of hands-on competence, and AWS takes the same line. But I haven't been able to find out much about how IIW *certification* by exam stacks up against other certifications. Everything I hear from AWS and TWI about IIW is negative, but they're just talking about the diplomas. I can't get anyone to talk to me about the certification process.
I did find this on TWI's website:
European Welder Federation Certification Scheme ('Certificates') "These tackle the disadvantage of the 'Diplomas' described above. Certificates are awarded only to EWF Diploma holders who have demonstrated competence in a welding job at the appropriate level. They are valid for three years and are only renewed if the holder can demonstrate continuing competence and continuing professional development.
"This scheme provides a 'cast iron' demonstration of compliance with ISO 14731. The certificates issued even have the mechanism for employers to endorse them in the context of ISO 14731 and they indicate the products, materials and processes in which the holder has demonstrated competence."
Which I may or may not be able to take as a TWI endorsement of the EWF/IIW certifications (not diplomas).
I *think* the little certification cards issued by IIS (Italian Institute of Welding) fall into the above category but could sure use outside confirmation.
