News and Updates

The AWS Education Committee is happy to announce that the SENSE guidelines are currently undergoing a major series of revisions to better support the implementation of the standards into entry welder programs.

NEWS FLASH
The AWS Education Committee has approved a change to SENSE Level I Entry Welder written exam score for the Module 2 Safety and Health of Welders. The passing score requirement for the Module 2 Safety and Health of Welders written exam is now 100%.

1. Modularization of Level I Entry Welder:
   There are now nine separate modules for the Entry Level I Welder. Schools have the option of implementing SENSE by module or by the original comprehensive approach. (MORE)
   
   

   Module 1:	Occupational Orientation *
   Module 2:	Safety and Health of Welders *
   Module 3:	Drawing and Welding Symbol Interpretation *
   Module 4:	Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)
   Module 5:	Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW-S, GMAW Spray Transfer)
   Module 6:	Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW-G/GM, FCAW-S)
   Module 7:	Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW)
   Module 8:	Thermal Cutting Processes * Units 1-Manual Oxyfuel Gas Cutting (OFC) and 3-Manual Plasma Arc Cutting (PAC) minimum
   Module 9:	Welding Inspection and Testing *
   * Must be covered in both modular and comprehensive SENSE implementation.
   (CLOSE)

2. Revision of Level I Qualification and Guidelines Documents:
   To download the latest versions of the standards select the link, follow the online instructions and enter your username and password that were provided at registration.
   • AWS QC10 rev. 2008 – Specification for Qualification and Certification of Level I – Entry Welder
   • AWS EG2.0 rev. 2008 – Guide for the Training of Welding Personnel: Level I – Entry Welder
3. SENSE Level I Modular Exams:
   To coordinate with the separate modules of Level I, each module will have its own exam (with the exception of Module 1). To download the latest versions of the exams select the link, follow the online instructions and enter your school account information. SENSE Level I Exams.
   
   
4. SENSE WPS’s.
   The WPS for SENSE are revised and are available in the Resources section of our download page. Download WPS.
5. Revision of SENSE welder certificates.
   Graduates will soon receive a wallet card that identifies successful completion of the SENSE standards. The certification card will indicate each process that was successfully completed. This will be available to graduates by Winter 08.

1. Modularization of Level II Advanced Welder.
   The SENSE subcommittee is working on modularizing Level II guidelines and exams. Completion is expected by early 2009.
2. SENSE Welding Program Accreditation.
   SENSE training organizations will soon be able to have their SENSE-aligned welding program accredited through AWS. The accreditation process is anticipated for release in 2009.
3. CWE - Certified Welding Educator.
   The committee is actively providing feedback to the B5.5 committee to more accurately define the qualifications of the welding educator.

1. SENSE Survey 2008
   Development of a survey for SENSE schools in order to gather information and to supplement the needs analysis process. The survey will be accompanied by a status report letter to both encourage responses and to reopen communications with SENSE schools. The survey was launched in Summer 2008, and will run through 2009.
   Go to the Survey
2. Launch of the SENSE Forum:
   Post questions, comments, success stories that you experience with any aspect of SENSE and let others that are using the SENSE guidelines provide feedback and direction to each other.
   Visit Forum
3. School Locator
   The welding school locator on the AWS website now undergoes regular updates. SENSE schools are clearly identified, and more information about schools’ welding program is provided. This tool is designed to help boost industry-wide recruitment and help relieve an intense shortage of welders.
   Go to the School Locator Website
4. SENSE Workshop Series.
   These workshops will provide the basic information needed by instructors/facility representatives to successfully implement and apply SENSE to their welding programs. This series is not meant to define content, but will support implementation, application, assessment and SENSE certification. The presentations found on the Downloads Page are part of this workshop series.
   Access the Download Page