The welder training suite at the EEF Technology Training Centre (TTC) — part of EEF’s Aston Training Campus since 2013 — got a major revamp in September, thanks to Weldability Sif (www.weldability-sif.com), which fitted out 24 welding bays with ‘state of the art’ industrial equipment, just in time for the start of the new education year.

The centre also houses ‘fully immersive’ welder-training equipment from Weldability Sif; this ‘virtual learning environment’ allows students to train digitally and safely before trying their hand at welding for real.

Aston TTC manager Christine Chapman says Weldability Sif’s “high-tech equipment for virtual welding has been a fantastic investment for us.

VirtuWeld technology complements the traditional welding facility and allows us to give our apprentices and other learners some idea of the skills and techniques needed in a real welding environment.

“Students can now access a breadth of welding technology learning, ranging from basic skills to coded welding in a safe and innovative environment, easing learners into the skills they require before using traditional welding equipment, saving both time and cost.”

Weldability Sif’s managing director, Gareth Hawkins, said: “The new welding centre will support EEF’s existing courses and apprenticeships.

“We have now provided facilities for 35 education locations in the UK, which have issued more than 10,000 welding qualifications.”