American Welding Society

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SENSE

INTRODUCTION and BACKGROUND:

The American Welding Society is pleased to present three voluntary national skill standards for the training and qualification of welding personnel, Level I – Entry Welders, Level II – Advanced Welder, and Level III – Expert Welder.

•    AWS QC10, Specification for the Qualification and Certification of Welding Personnel – Entry Welder (Level 1)
•    AWS QC11, Specification for the Qualification and Certification of Welding Personnel – Advanced Welder (Level II)
•    AWS QC12, Specification for the Qualification and Certification of Welding Personnel – Expert Welder (Level III)

Combined, these standards along with the associated curriculum guides make up the AWS Schools Excelling through National Skill Education (SENSE) program. The AWS QC10, QC11, and QC12 documents establish the basis for administering the AWS SENSE program and define certification requirements. The EG2.0, EG3.0 and EG4.0 documents are the curriculum guides containing learning objectives, performance conditions, evaluation criteria and learning activities necessary to accomplish training as a Participating Organization under the AWS’ SENSE program. This information is available to your institution as part of our commitment to provide quality education and training programs based on industry need and to advance to science, technology and application of welding.

On July 2, 1993, the American Welding Society was awarded a grant through the U. S. Department of Education to develop, organize and operate a Business-Labor-Education Committee. The AWS Education Grant Committee participated in the preparation of a skill standard and curriculum leading to the certification of individuals as “Entry Welders”. The project title was “Business and Education Standards Program – Development of Standards and Certification for Entry Welders”. The total cost of the project was $1,072,466.85. The portion funded with federal funds was $525,508.73 (49%). The portion funded by the American Welding Society was 546,985.06 (51%).

On January 5, 1995, The American Welding Society was awarded and extension to the original grant provided by the U.S. Department of Education to develop and prepare additional national skill standards and curriculum guides leading to the certification of individuals as “Level II – Advanced Welders, and Level III – Expert Welders”. The total cost of the second phase of this project was $1,059,626.00. The portion funded with federal funds was $529,813.00 (50%). The portion funded by the American Welding Society was $529,813.00 (50%).

The three deliverables for both phases of the project include:

•   Standards for Level I - Entry Welders (AWS QC10), Level II – Advance Welders (AWS QC11) and Level III – Expert Welder (AWS QC12)
•   Curriculum guides for training Level I - Entry Welders (AWS EG2.0), Level II – Advance Welders (AWS EG3.0) and Level III – Expert Welder (AWS EG4.0)
•   Certification programs for Level I - Entry Welders, Level II – Advance Welders and Level III – Expert Welder

The Education Grant Committee personnel consists of a consortium of AWS members representing the interest of the following sectors:

•   Business Community – The employers of welders
•   Trade Unions – The representatives of welders
•   Educators – The trainers of welders
•   Technical – The intellectual leaders of welders
•   Welding equipment manufacturers – Providers of tools and equipment used by welders
•   American Welding Society – A professional organization representing the welding community

The process of developing all national skill standards, curriculum guides and the SENSE Welder Program involve a combined effort on the part of industry-education, the AWS committee-staff, and the following areas of occupational task analysis:

Needs Assessment
Two needs assessment instruments were developed to collect data concerning entry, advanced and expert level job requirements for welders. These instruments consisted of a direct mail survey to obtain industry and education feedback regarding hands-on skills, welding related knowledge, qualification testing and foundation skills such as reading, writing, math, listening-oral communication, employability and leadership. In addition, the second instrument helped identify expert welder requirements for welding positions, filler metals, job experience, supervision and welding inspection and testing. From AWS membership roles, an original mailing list was developed. The total returns were sufficient to validate both survey and allow the committee to continue with the project. The mailing sort was based on a 5:1 ration of experienced welders, supervisors, foremen and technicians to all other job classifications included in the Standard Industry Code (SIC) for the survey. A broad range of industries and educational settings were included. This range reflected the overall membership of the American Welding Society. Mailing was done on a national basis with respondents representing all fifty states, all of businesses, all job classifications and all industrial or educational areas.

Needs Analysis
Data collected from the survey instruments was analyzed and compared against past American Welding Society studies to determine industry’s requirements for employment as Level I – Entry Welders, Level II – Advanced Welder or Level III – Expert Welder. These additional studies included AWS Education Committee work related to welders’ skills and a DACUM (Design A Curriculum) facilitation consisting of a panel of experienced welding professionals whom identified welder skills. As a result of our analysis, profiles of the Entry Welders, Advanced Welder and Expert Welder emerged. Industry also revealed that, besides hands-on training and qualification, a written test of welding related knowledge, welding procedures and safety was required prior to final performance qualification testing and certification.

Task Analysis
Expanding upon the information provided in the industrial surveys, other AWS studies and the emerging welder profiles, a task analysis was performed. This analysis process involved two stages: occupational data collection and conversion to programmatic materials. The purpose of the task analysis was to establish the basis for developing a competency based welder training program and the preparation of knowledge and performance related activities for a given training objective.

Curriculum and Standard Development
The information identified during task analysis then went through a transition which produced the three SENSE program standards; AWS QC10 (Entry Level) AWS QC11 (Advanced Level) and AWS QC12 (Expert Welder) and the three curriculum guides; AWS EG2.0 (Entry Level), AWS EG3.0 (Advanced Level) and AWS EG4.0 (Expert Level). These requirements were established by voluntary consensus of the AWS Education Grant Committee approved by the AWS Education Committee and the AWS Executive Committee.

PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATION BENEFITS

•   Free Educational Institution Membership for the first year
•   Choice of eight (8) free reference books for your Library
•   Final written examination provided for each Level
•   National registry and Certification for the Participating Organization
•   Upon graduation, students are entered into the AWS National Registry and are issued a Certificate for their successful completion.
•   The National Skill Standards Board has awarded their seal of approval to the SENSE program. The NSSB Certification Recognition Program approval establishes the SENSE program as a nationally recognized, industry-based occupational certification
•   Certificate Portability
•   Skill Transferability
•   Worker Mobility
•   Education and Training Consistency
•   Handsome certificate to announce your affiliation with the SENSE program

ADMINISTRATIVE OVERVIEW

To sign up as a Participating Organization (PO), the school must complete the PO registration form, sign the Letter of Commitment, and send a check or purchase order for the appropriate amount to the AWS Education Department.

The fee covers the registration as a PO and a one-year membership as an Educational Institution Member (EIM), please indicate on registration form the individuals names and contact information you wish to receive a membership.

The only annual fee is to renew the EIM, which is optional. All other costs are a one-time expense.

Upon receipt of the forms, the Membership Department will process the EIM along with the three individual memberships of your choice and send membership kits in approximately two weeks. The EIM membership provides the school with an engraved plaque identifying them as an EIM. The school is also provided with a stencil of the AWS logo, which allows the school to add the AWS logo to the schools letterhead. The EIM status also allows the school to purchase all AWS - produced products at a substantial discount.

The Education Department will send a PO kit that will include the final written certification exams. There will be three versions of the exam that will allow the instructor to handle separation of students and retests. The kit will also contain written authorization for the school to reproduce the exams and any material from the EG2.0 - 95 Guide or the QC10 - 95 Specification. There will also be two certificates for the school identifying them as an AWS PO and a supply of forms used to apply for certification.

The kit also contains the QA manual that the school can use as is, or as a guide to modify their existing procedures.

The fee for a student to be processed for certification is $15.00 and successful candidates will be entered into the National Registry™ for one year.

ANSWERS TO FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. If someone in the school is already an individual AWS Member, or if the school is already an EIM, is there a discount?
A. No. The AWS Membership Department will simply extend the renewal date.
Q. Does AWS supply training materials to the Participating Organization?
A. No, the program does not include training material. The EG2.0 - 95 Guide advises the school on what to teach and provides recommended learning objectives, evaluation criteria, and learning activities.
Q. Is it required to have a CWI or CWE at the Participating Organization?
A. No, CWIs and CWEs are not required. The documents read, “should be”, which means we encourage it, but don’t require it.
Q. Do we need to hire an inspector or can our instructor inspect the student’s work?
A. The instructor is allowed to also be the inspector but it is better to use two different individuals to ensure objectivity.
Q. Does AWS conduct an up-front audit?
A. There is no up-front audit. The letter of commitment states that the school promises to maintain the integrity of the program and will be subject to an audit should an impropriety arise.
Q. How many times can a student retake the exam?
A. Three retests are allowed. If the student fails the test and fails the three retests, it is recommended that the student have remedial training. The administration of the test and the number of retests is left to the discretion of the school.
Q. If current welding curriculum exceeds AWS’ ELW program, can I still participate?
A. Of course. Remember, these guidelines are the minimum skills and there is nothing wrong with exceeding the skills to meet school or demographic requirements.
Q. Is there a fixed sequence of instruction?
A. There is no “fixed” sequence of instruction. The EG2.0 - 95 was designed to provide as a road map. The actual order and method of instruction is left to the discretion of the school.

DEFINITIONS OF WELDERS

Entry Level Welder (Level I)
An Individual employed in this position is considered to posses a prerequisite amount of knowledge, attitude, predictable, receptive, proceduralized tasks involving motor skills and limited theoretical knowledge while working under close supervision.

Advanced Welder (Level II)
An Individual employed in this position is considered to possess a prerequisite amount of knowledge, attitude, skills, and habits required to perform proceduralized tasks under general supervision, and complex tasks involving the use of theoretical knowledge and motor skills under close supervision.

Expert Welder (Level III)
An individual employed in this position is considered to possess a prerequisite amount of knowledge, attitude, skills, and habits required to perform tasks autonomously, including the selection and use of appropriate techniques and equipment, and to apply theoretical knowledge and motor skills with minimum supervision.

For more information on SENSE, please call
(800) 443-9353, ext. 455 or Email education@aws.org

To apply for the SENSE program download the following forms:

(*required forms)
*SENSE Registration Form
*Educational Institution Membership (EIM) Application
*Library Order Form
Introduction
SENSE Benefits
EIM Benefits
SENSE FQA
Welder Definitions

Mail to:

American Welding Society
Education Department
550 NW LeJeune Rd.
Miami, FL 33126

Email your questions to:
education@aws.org

Contact Education Dept.
AWS Education Dept.
550 NW LeJeune Road
Miami, FL 33126
Ph: (305) 443-9353
Fax: (305) 648-2396

Richard DePue
Managing Director, Education Svcs.
email: rdepue@aws.org
Ext: 237

Christopher Pollock
Director of Education
email: cpollock@aws.org
Ext: 219

Paola Chacon-Celis
Administrative Assistant
email: pcelis@aws.org
Ext: 229

Sharon Campbell
Education Coordinator
email: sharon@aws.org
Ext: 455

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