The I-CAR Steel Welding Certification program has been delivered in its current format for five years and in that time 850 technicians have attempted the certification, with 750 successfully certified, a success rate of 88 percent for the nine years the certification program has been in place. Recent improvements to the program resulted in a pass rate in excess of 95 percent for 2018. This represents a significant improvement in a technician’s ability to produce safe and quality welds to vehicles requiring welded structural repairs. I-CAR Australia believes the level can be raised even further and will introduce several key improvements to the program in 2019.
Many OEMs internationally are now utilising the I-CAR welding program as their approved certification program, as it provides a specification that is accepted by industry and its stakeholders. As a result, I-CAR internationally is moving to bring the program further in line with OEM requirements. Currently the I-CAR Welding Certification period is for five years and many OEMs require recertification in their respective welding accreditations in a shorter time period.
As from January 1, 2019 the recertification for I-CAR steel welding will be required every three years and for I-CAR aluminium welding, every two years. This brings both programs in line with most OEM standard recertification programs. For those technicians who have a current I-CAR Steel Welding Certification, their five-year certification period will remain.
I-CAR Australia will also be enhancing the learning requirements for the welding certification. The misinterpretation that WCSA3 and WCA03 are training lessons will be clarified and that these programs are welding certifications, not training.
There will now be a distinct pathway of learning beginning with a separate virtual training class outlining MIG/MAG welding machines, setup, maintenance and overview of welding techniques. This will be followed by a hands-on welding qualification preparation course that will require the technician to set a machine, practice welds and understand how to visually inspect and destructively test welds prior to attempting the steel certification. This course will now fall into the Hands-on Skills training stream. This new program will require a two-hour virtual lesson, followed by a four-hour hands-on skills lesson.
On successful completion of the hands-on skills lesson, the technician will be assessed on their competency to attempt the I-CAR Steel Welding Certification. The aluminium certification will be the next phase for a welding technician and any participants must complete the Steel Welding Certification (WCSA3) or have OEM certification in steel or aluminium before attempting the Aluminium Welding Certification (WCA03).
It is envisaged that this pathway will further strengthen a technicians’ abilities and provide them with a beneficial pathway to improving skills and knowledge of welding for structural repairs.
These changes will come into effect in 2019 and all information will be available on the website including costs, time and points allocation. For further information, contact I-CAR Australia CEO Mark Czvitkovits on 0416159759.