Weld Australia has been awarded the esteemed Andre Leroy Prize at the 2024 International Institute of Welding (IIW) Awards, held during the IIW Annual Assembly and International Conference on Welding and Joining in Rhodes, Greece.
The Andre Leroy Prize recognises significant contributions to scientific and technical training or teaching in welding processes and allied technologies.
Weld Australia received this honour for its innovative work on a comprehensive suite of learning resources designed for the delivery of 12 welding and fabrication units of competency in the Manufacturing and Engineering (MEM) Training Package.
Geoff Crittenden, CEO of Weld Australia, expressed his organisation’s pride in receiving this prestigious award, stating: “This recognition highlights our commitment to advancing technical training in the welding and fabrication industry. Our innovative learning resources are designed to meet the evolving needs of students, teachers, and training organisations.”
The development of these resources was a collaborative effort involving a national consortium of TAFEs over the past two years.
This partnership enabled the creation of engaging and up-to-date training materials, with some TAFEs already adopting them permanently after successful pilot programs.
The MEM Resources developed by Weld Australia feature a user-friendly interface and diverse delivery methods, catering to various learning styles.
Notably, the resources are entirely online and accessible via phone, mobile device, or computer, allowing students to access learning materials at their convenience.
This achievement underscores Weld Australia’s dedication to enhancing the quality of welding education and training, contributing to the advancement of the industry both nationally and internationally.