NEWS
7
Thermoplastics welders
face a bright future
Plastics|SA put welding skills, learnership programmes,
technology, and the latest welding equipment in the spotlight
at its third Thermoplastics Welding Technology Day, which took
place at its head office in Midrand recently.
The latest welding equipment and techniques were
also put on display by Rothenberger, Plastiweld, Horner,
Astore Keymak, Marley Pipe Systems, and Plasti-
Tech, who were on hand to answer questions and to
demonstrate the latest development in thermoplastic
welding, such as the digital recording of the welding
parameter s by the welding machines.
Explaining the importance of exposing students and the
industry to the opportunities and developments within the
thermoplastics welding industry, Isaya Ntuli, Plastics|SA’s
regional training manager, says: “The future looks bright
for qualified thermoplastic welders in South Africa. With
thermoplastic welding now a preferred method of joining
HDPE or PVC pipes used in mining, municipalities,
construction, and various other fields where plastic pipe
applications are used, these welders are able to find
work in many different industries and their skills are in
high demand.”
Plastics|SA trained more than 400 welders in Gauteng
alone during their last financial year and continues to
see an increase in enrolments for their Thermoplastic
Fabrication learning programme each year. Learners are
attracted from various fabricators and contractors, with
news of the programmes often spread through word-
of-mouth, articles in the media, or interest generated
through the company’s website. A matric qualification
is not required, nor is a proficiency to read or write in
English, as assessments can be conducted verbally.
The training itself covers different processes, including
butt welding, electrofusion, hot air, socket, solvent, and
geomembrane. Some 50% of the learning content is
practical work, which requires the students to perform
the actual welds. One such practical welding skill
www.plumbingafrica.co.za
that is being taught and which helps set
students apart from other welders, is bends
fabrication. “This is definitely a welding
skill that is growing in demand, because a
learner that can fabricate the bends, can
also work in a workshop and in the field.
We address the fabrication skills through
our NQF Level 3 and NQF Level 4 offerings
of Thermoplastics Fabrication,” Isaya says.
Plastics|SA’s learning programmes are
Merseta accredited, which requires that
learning content be developed to satisfy
qualification outcomes. To this end, regular
interaction and meetings take place with
industry role players, such as the Installation
and Fabrication Plastics Pipe Association
(IFPA) and fabricators.
“We also involve IFPA members in the
development of our learning material,
including any new offerings such as our
recently introduced Welding Inspector course,
to ensure that we produce learners who are
in step with the latest developments and
who are able to meet the industry needs and
expectations,” Isaya explains.
Photos
Interested students, industry members, and technical
trainers attended presentations that focused on the
importance of thermoplastic welding, standards,
processes and conformance assessments, improving
welding and reporting.
The introduction of a welder identification system a few
years ago has helped to greatly improve the industry
by ensuring consistent high quality of welding and
introducing transparency and accountability. A unique
welder number is allocated to each welder to assist with
traceability. In addition, Plastics|SA has also recently
upgraded to digital certificates with QR codes that allow
quicker verification on site through a free QR Reader app,
which can be downloaded on a smartphone and which
already exists on an iPhone.
Plastics|SA put welding skills,
learnership programmes,
technology, and the latest
welding equipment in
the spotlight at its third
Thermoplastics Welding
Technology Day.
“This allows contractors to verify welders’ certificates
on site without having to call us and helps to ensure a
well-controlled learner management system,”
concludes Isaya. PA
August 2018 Volume 24 I Number 6