Weldability-Sif has been working in close cooperation with The North Hertfordshire College in Stevenage to set up a new welding skills training initiative at the college.

This brand new facility was officially opened by the Government’s Skills Minister, John Hayes MP on Thursday 13th October 2011 in the presence of local MP Stephen McPartland and representatives from The North Hertfordshire College, EAL certification -EAL is the specialist, employer-recognisedawarding organisation for the engineering, manufacturing, building services and related sectors- and the Association of Welding Distribution along with representatives of the greater Hertfordshire community.

Adrian Hawkins, Managing Director at Weldability-Sif said: ''We have set up and registered the Weldability-Sif Foundation Charity with the Charities Commission to specifically encourage the development of new welder training facilities across the UK and The North Hertfordshire College is the first to inaugurate a specialist foundation level training facility. With major build programmes rolling out in the renewable and sustainable energy markets, there are significant fabrication and welding skills challenges to overcome and this skills gap needs to be filled to undertake such a programme''

Kam Nandra, North Hertfordshire College commented: ''We were surprised at the level of demand that exists for welding training courses and we have already exceeded our expectation of student numbers. Working closely with the Weldability-Sif Foundation Charity has made delivering this program easier and more cost-effective''

Working alongside the TWI in Cambridge and EAL certification, Weldability-Sif has initiated the foundation level welder skills training program to give trainee welders a first step towards a professional and rewarding career in welding. This program is a much needed first step in a greater welder skills development program leading from foundation level to a ‘passport to practice’ welding internationally and on through further development towards higher TWI qualifications up to the TWI International European Welding Diploma.