IIW 2017 Annual Report

LEARNING Education, Training, Qualification and Certification

GOAL: To identify, develop and implement the IIW Education, Training, Qualification and Certification programmes on a global basis

International Authorisation Board (IAB) Systems have a three-fold orientation: personnel, compa- nies and the international welding community. The IAB is constantly working to develop the sys- tems it manages: the harmonised qualification and certification system for personnel and the certification system for companies, and adapt them both to technological advances and market needs.The Board works continuously towards the interests of the international welding community and its development, via its members worldwide. By providing certified welding personnel with coordination responsibilites and qualified and skilled personnel at all levels, and by developing

a harmonised scheme for company quality cer- tification according to ISO 3834, IAB responds to industry needs.

IAB – Members

IAB – Secretariat

Peer and Lead Assessors

Group A Education, Training and Qualification

Group B Implementation, Authorisation and Certification

THE MESSAGE OF THE IAB CHAIR AND CEO 2017 was a year with a lot of activities for the IIW-IAB. After the successful period (new com- petition rules) with Jim Guild (South Africa) as Chair in July Christian Ahrens (Germany) was elected for the next 3 years. The IAB continues to work towards an effective system to support the welding industry in educating and training a workforce with the knowledge and skills, both for personnel and companies. The new challenge is to develop a flexible struc- ture of the training guidelines and an even more harmonised system. A flexible structure will help to meet the needs of the market and allow trainees to define their lifelong training path, and the harmonised system will provide the recognition sought by both, trainees and em-

IIW-IAB Chair: Mr Christian Ahrens (Germany) IIW-IAB CEO: Mrs Rute Ferraz (Portugal) ployers will see the development of 2018 fur- ther strategies for the coming years including a better communication and cooperation with the IIW Technical Commissions and the TMB.

16 IIW - ANNUAL REPORT 2017