Digital training for European Welding Inspectors

We apply as coordinators of the Erasmus+ D-EWI project, which aims to improve the training capacities of VET teachers and trainers and to develop digital educational materials in the field of weld...

Through project partners and stakeholder collaboration across Europe, the project aimed to modernize welding inspection training delivery and qualifications using e-learning, enhancing access to upskilling opportunities in this important industrial sector. The key objectives of the D-EWI project were: • To enhance the training capabilities of VET teachers and trainers by developing digital educational materials and tools to support the implementation of e-learning in welding inspection education; • To standardize practices in e-learning at the international level through updating guidelines and operational procedures for delivering theoretical and practical training for EU Welding Inspectors according to emerging digital technologies; • To improve the level of key competencies in welding inspection among VET trainers by producing open digital resources; • To innovate training approaches by transferring practical skills development to digital formats and providing evidence on the effectiveness of fully online training delivery models; • To foster innovation in welding-related vocational practices by building capacity for digital teaching and learning methods among staff at partner training institutions and centres of expertise.

The D-EWI project implemented the following key activities: • Project Management and Coordination: Overseeing day-to-day operations, financial administration, monitoring progress, quality assurance procedures, and reporting. • Project Meetings: Conducting in-person and online coordination activities to oversee workstream progress, address any issues, and make timely decisions collaboratively. • Quality Assurance: Implementing management and reporting procedures to ensure objectives were met according to schedule, budget and quality standards. • Intellectual Output Development: Creating educational materials consisting on a guide for VET trainers on using e-learning tools, three welding inspection modules and a set of recommendation for updating international standards, guidelines, rules and operational procedures for the delivery of theoretical and practical training for EWI. Subject matter experts from partners collaborated on content development. • Staff Training Events: Organizing two short-term joint staff training events to pilot the training materials, exchanges of best practices to help VET trainers develop e-learning implementation skills and to enhance technical knowledge in welding inspections. • Dissemination: Implementing a dissemination plan to promote the project through various channels like websites, social media, conferences and partner networks. • Multiplier Events: organizing national dissemination workshops or international conferences in each partner country to showcase results to stakeholders, including policymakers and industry representatives. • Exploitation and sustainability: Development of strategies to ensure implementation of results after the end of the project, including influencing EU/international standards and practices through EWF and IIW partners. These diverse activities aimed to generate innovative digital learning tools with impact beyond the project duration.

The D-EWI project succeeded in developing innovative digital tools, skill-building among educators and standardizing online training delivery towards improved lifelong learning in welding inspection. The main outputs and outcomes of the D-EWI project included: • IO1 - a guide for VET trainers on selecting and implementing e-learning tools to support welding inspection curriculum delivery. • IO2 to IO4 - three digital educational materials covering key modules of the European Welding Inspector training programme, including quality assurance, testing procedures, and practical skill development activities. • IO5 - a set of recommendation for updating international standards and operating guidelines integrating e-learning best practices based on evidence gathered. • Increased technical expertise in welding inspection processes for 29 project team members (14 participants at C1-LTTA event and 15 participants at C2-LTTA event) • Five national conferences held with over 204 attendees in total, disseminating results to stakeholders and soliciting feedback. • Adoption of the educational materials by four partners in their formal vocational programmes, broadening accessibility of training. • Ongoing sustainability ensured through the European Federation for Welding, Joining and Cutting, which included the materials in the project website.