Page 25 - Gi March 2019 - Flipbook
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field of welding) have either retired or
are working intermittently to suit their
own personal circumstances.
The sector in general has failed to
address succession planning for key
welding industry roles. With school
leavers now focused on information,
innovation and technology, it is
sometimes difficult to attract people
into welding, which is traditionally
thought of as manual, labour intensive
profession delivered outside in the
field at the mercy of the weather, or in
fabrication yards and workshops.
Most qualified welders available to
the gas industry are now working well
into their 70s and, due to seasonal
working requirements and the lifestyle
choices of this group, they are not
always available to train and mentor the
welders of the future. This is a reality
of life in the gas industry and hinders
training and development programmes.
In an attempt to reverse these issues
and address a serious business need,
Warrington-based specialist pipeline
construction company Fastflow Energy
Services Ltd has developed an in-
house Welding Apprenticeship scheme
and is currently training five young
welders. This includes completing
technical studies to HNC level at a
local college.
Most qualified welders
available to the gas industry
are now working well into
their 70s and, due to seasonal
working requirements and the
lifestyle choices of this group,
they are not always available
to train and mentor the
welders of the future
Welder training at Fastflow includes
both pipe fitting and pipe preparation,
with a specialisation in stove welding
using cellulosic and low hydrogen
rods. Practical execution skills are
learned through a planned programme
of welding modules that increase in
complexity and difficulty on a monthly
basis. This methodology prepares them
for the real-world issues that they will
The average age of specialist stove mass of welding professionals including face on individual pipeline projects.
pipe welders available to the UK engineers, inspectors and instructors This training method successfully
pipeline industries is higher than is diminishing, so the ability to train expands the apprentices’ knowledge
in other comparable industries. entrants is falling below gas industry and experience of welding processes
Estimates vary, but the industry requirements. Most of the qualified and procedures, increases their hands-
generally acknowledges that skill welding professionals that delivered on welding skills and ensures that they
shortages include a whole array of apprenticeship schemes of the past have the confidence to address what
welding jobs, not just the welding (and were key to encouraging, training, is a very physical and challenging, yet
practitioners themselves. The critical and retraining students to enter the rewarding profession.
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