Lisbon, September 16th, 2014 – The European Federation of Welding, Cutting and Joining promotes and is an advocate of the interests of the European welding industry, in close alignment with all its members. Through the support of initiatives led by the EWF, a vibrant and strong community of professionals exists within the industry, capable of providing companies in Europe with the leading-edge competitive advantage that is crucial in a global and knowledge-driven economy. And the EWF has been at the core of the initiatives to provide best-in-class qualification and certification for national welding professionals. This is the way EWF has approached these challenges since its inception, working side-by-side with the industry thought leaders that are working to define Europe’s industrial future, for which a highly qualified workforce is a critical success factor.
The importance of welding in manufacturing can’t be overstated, since the latter is the dominant sector of the European economy, with each job in manufacturing linked to two additional jobs in high-quality services. And, as Europe has chosen industrialization as a key component of its long-term growth strategy within Horizon 2020, competitiveness through innovation and qualification is of paramount importance to ensure that industries thrive and jobs are created. And EWF has taken that shift into focus, by actively embracing a partnership strategy to address the challenge, including the needs for training and qualification that are a critical component of the leading-edge support that European industries need in order to achieve this ambitious goal.
As part of that effort within Horizon 2020, the European Technology Platform Manufuture was set-up to propose, develop and implement a strategy based on Research and Innovation, capable of speeding up the rate of industrial transformation to high added-value products, processes and services, securing high-skills employment.
As part of its long-term vision, EWF will continue its role focused on the training and qualification of welding personnel, on the certification of welding personnel and companies, as well as working together with the welding and joining community in several projects of vocational, educational, training and RTD projects. Among other, at the EWF we will continue to work closely with the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP), with the European Accreditation as a recognized stakeholder, and with the European Committee for Standardization (CEN/TC 121 Welding and allied processes), which has unanimously agreed to work with EWF as a liaison organization.
Partnering with the industry to meet stringent requirements of the newest standards
From an industry support perspective, EWF works a focal point that the industry, its members and the professionals that it can refer to in all education, training, qualification and certification systems. This year, as part of this commitment, EWF has been working together with its members and associates to ensure all relevant stakeholders are compliant with the EN 1090 standards, which regulate the fabrication and assembly of steel and aluminum structures and are recognized by the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) to obtain CE marking. All companies were required to be 1090-compliant from July 1st onwards and, in this instance, EWF has ben responsible for outlining the roadmap of Certification and Qualification presented to guide companies on their road to compliance. EN 1090 comprises three parts: EN 1090-1: Requirements for conformity assessment for structural components (CE-Marking); EN 1090-2: Technical requirements for the execution of steel structures; and EN 1090-3: Technical requirements for the execution of aluminium structures.
International bodies and EWF’s participation
By being part of on EFFRA – European Factories of the Future Research Association, as well as working with the above-mentioned European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (www.cedefop.europa.eu) and the European Committee for Standardization (https://www.cen.eu/Pages/default.aspx, EWF aims to ensure that welding and joining professionals are appropriately qualified for the upcoming technical challenges facing the industry. And, as part of its role and commitment to the reindustrialization of Europe, EWF supports the Manufacturing a Stronger and Greener Europe Manifesto, which embodies a commitment by the European Manufacturing industry to play vital role in Europe’s economic recovery.
Lastly, and also within the above-mentioned Manufuture Technology Platform, Joining has been singled out as a key enabling technology and, therefore, a specific sub-platform was created, with the purpose of developing a strategic approach in the field, a core element of innovative and sustainable manufacturing (http://www.joining-platform.com/). And EWF played an important role in creating this subplatform, being part of the Management Committee, globally touching all relevant areas within the industry.
About the European Federation for Welding, Joining and Cutting
EWF is a pioneer in implementing a harmonized qualification and certification system for joining professionals. Through European projects EWF has been innovating in welding training methodologies, and involved in the development of new technologies and uses for welding and joining.
Contacts for media:
Eurico Assunção (EGAssuncao@isq.pt)