How Does it Work?
3 Competency Levels to cater for varying ability and experience.
Competency levels are based on the relative difficulty of the types of repair scenarios included in each level
Welders receive a helmet sticker (see below) showing their MWC Level
Fixed Structures
Level 1 is for general light fabrication and maintenance of fixed structures
Heavy Equipment Repairs
Level 2 can do most repairs, but they cannot do single sided open root welds
Heavy Equipment Repairs
Level 3can do open root single sided welds as well as everything that a Level 2 can do
Easy to use for repair management
Minimal welding expertise required to supervise a welding crew.
Have confidence that the welders know what to do and how to achieve an effective repair.
Simple basis for determining which welder to assign to a repair
Based on the type of work and the nature of the cracking. This is made even easier if the Crack Data System is being used.
Each Welder has a unique Welder ID, that also indicates their competency level
First and Last initials, with a sequential number for that set of initials.
Level Prefix once full competency is gained
For example - 2EC01
The MWC Portal provides a simple way to quickly check a Welder's competency and skills.
Mine sites can see their FTE's and all contractor Welders that are inducted at their site
Contractors can see their Welders and which sites they are inducted at.
Easy to administrate and maintain
There is a clearly defined process for gaining the Maintenance Welder Competency, which does not affect site or contractor operations
Welders have the opportunity to be trained and upskilled to meet the required competency level, rather than simply being tested as pass or fail.
A "Provisional" Level 3 is assigned based on a simple skill test of being able to do an open root GMAW weld in the overhead position. If they can't, then they are automatically a "Provisional" Level 2
The Provisional levels may be applied until such time as the welder completes the required training and full competency assessment
Minimal administration time and costs
The MWC Certificate is issued by WQMS. All records are maintained and freely available via the MWC Portal. There is no need for mines or contractors to alter their existing systems or develop anything new.
A single MWC certificate is issued on completion. This is all that is required within a site induction management system, without need for complexity of managing multiple records and having to determine whether a Welder meets the competency requirements
No complex or costly verification or validation system - Employers simply verify that their Welders are still in their employment, have been actively welding, and still does good work.
Valid for 3 years. Default is to go through a refresher training and redo the competency assessment. However, a Welder can have their Competency revalidated for a further 3 years if it is possible to show NDT records for welds of same type as used in the Competency Assessment.