"<< Background >>Education is the main engine of any society, so all of us needs lifelong education. In the context of Industry 4.0, technical education is one of the main goals of modern societies without which there would be no progress. Welding is an essential cross-sectoral manufacturing process, performed in almost every major industry. Therefore, weld quality and integrity are critical to safety in an extensive range of products and structures. The International / European Welding Inspectors (IWI/EWI) are the key players in the evaluation of welded products to provide value-added on the market. The specific activities they perform are highly demanding and have long-term significant impact on the quality and safety of the welded products and structures. But high-level training as IWI/EWI requires a long course, and employers cannot afford to take out of production employees for such a long time. Besides the course cost and its duration, travel and accommodation costs are added for those that attend the course elsewhere. Moreover, in the current context created by the pandemic situation, the training of people became even more difficult, and thus, people accessibility to face-to-face training is limited. In this context, the opening to the digital learning area has growing fast, the e-learning market being estimated to reach a global $ 200 billion by 2024.Currently, training of the IWI/EWI is still very traditional and classroom based. To respond to the current socio-economic circumstances, the project proposal entitled: “Digital training for European Welding Inspectors”, acronym D-EWI, aims to mitigate presented impediments, offering an innovative digital training course that could be attend by the people, in parallel with their daily work. Open digital educational materials will be made and used to support implementation of innovative digital technologies for teaching and learning in initial and continuing VET in the field of welds inspections. They will be developed using innovative curricula aligned to the approach based on Learning Outcomes for a correspondence to the EU Qualifications Framework levels.The project target group consist of specialists in welding and allied process, teachers in higher education and trainers of all level. Also, target group includes SMEs involved in welding industry, stakeholders from other related industrial sectors. To achieve their goals, the employers are looking for qualified staff in the field. These specialists are hard to find and needs to be periodically trained to stay up to date with the latest news in the field.On the other hand, the employees may already have a welding technology background, but they will need to enhance their education with the new and coming production requirements. The EWI course will stimulate and allow a life-long learning path for qualified personnel. By developing the strategic partnership with SMEs, the project aimed to promote e-learning to support them in their current need to employ high qualified staff and to supply of high-quality learning opportunities in the field of welds inspections for engineers, regardless of gender or social condition.On the other hand, the project address the needs of training centres which could increase their expertise in the project field, having the opportunity to enlarge of their offer. To strengthen the market position, it is necessary to expand its field of expertise and to exploit the market opportunities (sharp demand for digital training) and current requirements (new standards/regulations). The project supports their needs since it offers the opportunity to train their staff, teachers and VET trainers in welding inspections, having access to a comprehensive e-learning course, harmonized at EU level. Thus, VET teachers could develop as EWI teachers based on their background. The course will allow further development according to international guideline and the achievement of a harmonized education.<< Objectives >>General Project ObjectiveEnhancing training capabilities of VET teachers and trainers and developing of digital educational materials to support implementation of digital technologies for teaching and learning in the field of welding inspections.To support addressing VET through development of digital readiness, resilience and capacity in the field of welding inspection the project has the following specific objectives:O1: International standardisation of practices in e-learning and improving the VET trainers' skill in developing and implementing of digital tools, to foster innovation in welding-related practices;The project aims to adapt existing curricula to create innovative one based on Learning Outcomes (LOs) for a correspondence to the EU Qualifications Framework (EQF) levels and to implement ECVET points. International guidelines, rules and operational procedures will be updated for the delivery of theoretical and practical training for European Welding Inspector. By implemented of the IOs, it is expected to innovate the training sector by providing further evidence on the effectiveness of the approach and on the availability of harmonised teaching tools and approaches to offer digital training.O2: Developing innovative e-learning educational materials, to improve the level of key competences in welding inspections.Open digital educational materials will be made and used to support implementation of innovative digital technologies for teaching and learning in initial and continuing VET in the field of welds inspections. Practical training of welding inspector is likely to be the most improved area, as the outcomes of the project are expected to innovate the approach to transfer a practical skill into a digital tool.<< Implementation >>To achieve the project objectives, specific activities, actions and events will be implemented in the project frame, to achieved a proper impact on the target group. Activities related to the project management and implementation is laded by ISIM, but all partners will participate. The project administration and coordination (A1) will concern the management of the project and all reporting activities performed by the project manager and financial responsible with the support of each project responsible of partners.Monitoring of the activities will be done to assess if they are performed according to the project schedule, proper outcomes and results will be obtained. The quality control and impact evaluation of the project (A2) will be performed by the project coordinator with support of all project partners. For the implementation of this activity the Quality Management Plan (QMP) will be designed, implemented and periodical review. According to QMP, each project partner have to prepare a report at every six months to support preparing yearly of the interim report by the project coordinator. If delays are revealed during assessment of the tasks assigned to one or some project partners, new deadlines will be established so that the final deadline is respected. If the partner cannot comply with new deadline, renegotiation of the tasks between partners will be done to solve this issue. The Communication Plan (CP) includes 4 meetings scheduled to be held once at every 6 months, as well as monthly online meetings via Zoom or similar.Dissemination activities (A3) will be performed according to dissemination plan (DP). EWF will coordinate the dissemination activities, since it is an organization that has own network of interested members at EU level. All project partners will participate in implementation of the DP and will undertake specific activities at national level for promotion of the project results. Associated partners will be involved in dissemination of the project events to attract stakeholders from industrial sectors using various communication channel social media, websites and own customer and partner networks. Five multiplying events will be organized in the project partners' countries to disseminate the project Intellectual Outputs (IOs). All partners will be involved to assure the project sustainability (A4). Exploitation of the project results will be led by EWF with the support of IIW and all partners will play an active role in developing and implementing of the sustainability plan. It will be focused on influencing the policy and practice from local to EU and international levels, in order to improve the current teaching techniques, using new platforms or compatibles e learning schemes for the training course, as a part for a life-long learning physiology.During the project implementation two short-term joint staff training will be organized. C1 event aims to develop the skills of VET trainers in implementing and using of the digital e learning tools and C2 event aims to develop the skills of the project staff in the field of Welding Inspections. During of these events the participants have the opportunity to perform exchange of best practice in the project topics.The main technical activities to be implemented are concentrate on developing of a ""Guide for teachers and VET trainers on implementing and using of e-learning digital tools"" (IO1) and on preparing of the digital educational materials (IO2, IO3 and IO4) to be uses in the learning process, in a professional manner in day-to-day activities of teachers. Another important activity is related to “International standardisation of practices in e learning by digital tools” (IO5). The focus will be put on implementation of the specific framework for digital education correlated to the Learning Outcomes for proper implementation of EU Credit system for VET (ECVET), for recognition of the technical skills at EU and International level.<< Results >>The activities under the project aims to achieve the following Intellectual Outputs (IOs):IO1: “Guide for teachers and VET trainers on implementation and usage of e-learning digital toolsIt will consist of educational materials (e.g. text and figures, presentations, audio and video files) developed to be aligned with the requirements of IAB 195 Guideline on e-learning, document issue by the International Authorisation Board (IAB) of the IIW. The education materials will be targeting the project staff, teachers / trainers for the future courses for IW/EWI, being essential for implementation of e-learning. In order to create an attractive learning material for trainers, the new information must be related to their previous experience, be interactive to be motivated to put into practice the assimilated knowledge, be concise to induce the idea of ease in assimilation. Through this guide, trainers will have access to various educational resources and practices and thus they can achieve a high degree of professional development.The main project result will be the e-learning educational materials (IO2 to IO4) that support the consortium organisations to provide an innovative digital education and training, VET course for IWI/EWI, in an effective way, to be aligned at the current social trends and market/customer needs. To be aligned at the international regulation, the digital training system will be developed to meet the requirements the latest versions of the EWF-IAB-041 and EWF/IAB-195 Guidelines of International Institute of Welding (IIW). Thus, it will be developed according to the modules “Welding inspection”, as follows:IO2: E-learning educational materials on quality assurance /quality control in inspection (related to Welding inspection - module 1)IO3: E-learning educational materials on testing of welds and reporting (related to Welding inspection - module 2)IO4: E-learning educational materials on practical work on testing (related to Welding inspection - module 3)The education materials will have innovative character, since they will include new techniques and technologies used in e-learning (e.g. drag & drop, sort & drag, drag & replace, hotspot reveal, gamification), being as well in line to the latest European and International standards, as well as scientifically articles that highlight the state of the art in the field. The learning materials will support the necessary knowledge skills with innovative digital tools in training for the future European Welding Inspectors being a major step forward for new digitalized teaching methods. All documents and related information will be in English to have a proper transferability potential in all countries.IO5: International standardisation of practices in e learning by digital tools.Current applicable International standards consider that only a limited amount of teaching hours can be delivered through digital tools. Limitations are based on the poor international harmonization available on the e-learning digital tools and on the insufficient information on the effectiveness in transferring information to students digitally. Specifically, current guidelines do not consider the possibility of offering the full content of the training digitally, and specifically a very limited amount of practical training as included in Module 3. IO5 will consist of updated international standards, guidelines, rules and operational procedures for the delivery of theoretical and practical training for European Welding Inspector. The expected output will consist of a revision of the applicable documents, to be made available for approval by the relevant bodies.By implemented of the IOs, it is expected to innovate the training sector by providing further evidence on the effectiveness of the approach and on the availability of harmonised teaching tools and approaches to offer digital training."

The project developed ' ready -to -use ' training and education materials tackling the hazards of a welding workplace in terms of environment and personal safety and health.To make sure that the prepared curriculum and training tools are completely adapted to the market needs and requirements, the project started with a thorough desk and field research by means of a questionnaire sent to VET providers as well as welding companies. The outcome of this field research revealed the 15 important topics to be dealt with , resulting in the 15 chapters of the handbook and made clear that companies and VET providers are asking for relevant and up-to-date training material , for example to use in regularly organized toolbox meetings dedicated to a specific topic. Apart from traditional training and reference tools as a handbook, a powerpoint presentation per topic (IO2)and the necessary assessment tools ( IO3) , the project developed a serious game.(IO4) . The partners discovered however that the level of difficulty had to be split up in :Level 1 : the welders :To guarantee that welders are working according to HSE (Health, Safety and Environment) rules all over the world and as such increasing the mobility of labor in this field . Level 2: Welding coordinators and teachers : develop teaching materials to facilitate and upgrade their training and information sessions.This made the partners decide to develop training material and assessment tools ( IO2 and IO3) for two specific levels , respectively for the welder and a second one , including more background information on international standars and rules , for the coordinator or teacher.As a consequence of the split-up into 2 levels of difficulty , IO 1 reflects 2 EQF (European Qualifications Framework) levels within 1 curriculum .The serious game is set up as a multi-purpose tool :it can be used as a stand-alone prevention and training tool are before or even after a training session .

There is a need for specific requirements for personnel conducting Destructive Testing (DT) that include proper specialised training and testing, as in the case of the personnel who performs Non-Destructive Testing, a sector with a broad training offer (contrary to specific VET training courses in DT, which are practically inexistent). TRUST project will address the development of a new professional profile (European Destructive Testing Technician - EDTT), its specific curricula and Qualification standard.TRUST target groups are young trainees involved in I-VET, trainees with working experience and professionals already working in DT field who lack the required qualification or need to upskill through C-VET. By developing a new EDTT Qualification, they will be given the opportunity to acquire the required skills and competences to work in DT of welded joints on industrial laboratories and a proper recognition of their functions, thus replying to this need, as identified to the European Committee for Standardization (CEN).TRUST project aims to:- Deliver a European Qualification that will improve the quality of VET system by incorporating an RPL process and common European tools (Learning Outcomes, EQF and ECVET) that foster mutual trust among VET systems;- Develop and implement a new qualification programme for Destructive Testing encompassing specific contents and methods, also ensuring transparency and recognition between European countries;- Develop a qualification programme and enhance integration of offer in countries with lower engagement or access it;- Promote language learning and linguistic diversity by providing both multinational glossary and pilot training;- Increase transparency of competences and qualifications for the manufacturing sector.TRUST outcomes will include a specific training curricula, educational materials, practical exercises and assessment tools based on innovative pedagogical methods rooted on a learner-centered approach, resulting in six interconnected Intellectual Outputs (IO), namely:IO1 - Report on Co-Creation WorkshopA Report on existent industry's needs, skills mismatches and on how the structure of the EDTT Qualification and its educational and assessment methodologies can address those issues in an innovative way.IO2 - European Destructive Testing Technician Profile CurriculaBased on the results achieved in IO1, IO2 targets the creation of the EDTT Profile Curricula and its Qualification standard. The development of the EDTT Profile Curricula is based on EQF and Learning Outcomes principles, having allocation of ECVET points, allocated.. Validation of prior learning and its principles will also be considered within the Profile Curricula design.IO3 – Kit of Education Materials for EDTT Training CourseThis IO deals with the development of the necessary materials for the implementation of EDTT training course at national level, accessible both to trainers/teachers and trainees to facilitate the learning process. A Handbook containing all training and assessment tools (incl. Problem-Based Learning assignments) will be developed.IO4 - European Implementation Guideline of EDTT Profile CurriculaThis Guideline will be developed to foster and ensure the correct implementation of the new EDTT training course and will include information on the EDTT Qualification's access conditions, how training and assessment procedures will be carried out and how the Handbook with the kit of educational materials for the EDTT training course (IO3) can be applied. Information on the Recognition of Prior Learning process will also be provided in this Guideline. This IO will also be translated to partners’ national languages.IO5 - Development of RPL ToolsA specific Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) scheme and associated tools for the EDTT Qualification will be developed to provide all professionals involved in the sector, but have no qualification or are seeking for upskilling through C-VET, the opportunity to access a proper qualification. This IO will be translated as well.IO6 - European Recommendations for VET SystemsThis IO intends to create conditions for fostering, in a successful and efficient way, the project’s results on European countries outside the partnership that also share the needs identified on IO1 as basis for the implementation of the EDTT training course in other European VET Systems.TRUST activities will involve teachers/trainers, trainees, European VET experts & Industry representatives and National Qualification Agencies, contributing for development and improvement of all results and for the implementation of the EDTT Qualification on European countries outside the partnership, thus duly qualifying personnel working on DT at national & EU levels, helping the Manufacturing sector overcoming its challenges.TRUST consortium is composed of 5 organizations with expertise in DT and Education, from BE, IT, PL, PT & RO.

Predictive Maintenance (PM) is a critical element for the optimization of primary resources used in the economy and on fundamental infrastructure systems (while mitigating climate change also). Currently, both industry, academia and VET trainings lack coprehensive PM curricula. The objectives of PreMETS are to introduce an alliance for boosting the European Innovation in Predictive Maintenance through entrepreneurial cooperation, education, and training for the development of a coherent digital platform that covers all aspects of the PM process. In this context, the general objectives of PreMETS (linked to the goals of the call) are: OBJ1: Develop an innovative cross-disciplinary and cross-sectoral PM education toolkit (ECTS and ECVET compliant) hat will be used to train 1000+ PM learners (students, VET learners) and workforce during the project implementation. OBJ2: Develop a cutting edge toolkit for trainers in the field of PM (higher education, vocational education, corporate) that would be uptaken by 250+ trainers during the project implementation. OBJ3: Develop a micro-credential certification framework for PM-related micro-courses that would enable at least 500 learners (students, VET learners, workforce) to receive certification for skill-recognitionOBJ4: Develop a cross-disciplinary platform that would include the PM education toolkit, the package for PM trainers, the micro-credential certification system, an embedded lifecycle analysis process calculation service (that can be used by learners to test various resilient PM strategies and assess their environmental, social and economic impacts) and a virtual space for blended Teaching Factories deployment.OBJ5: Pilot the training courses and the platform via innovative work-based learning blended apprenticeship secondments where mixed learners from academia, VET and industry (under the moderation of trainers and experts) will experiment the gained know-how in cyber-physical industrial settings.

The last decades brought significant improvements in the field of welding fabrication, in terms of standards and education of qualified personnel. However, the current trends of the welding industry to optimize production by reducing fabrication and maintenance costs of the products, continuously require the implementation of new approaches in the training of welding specialists. The need for trained welding specialists with extended knowledge towards risk management in welding fabrication exists since the vast majority of industrial equipment contain welded parts and welding fabrication poses many risks regarding the peoples' health, the quality of the product as well as environmental issues.The RMWF project aimed to produce an attractive education and training programme in the partner countries for qualified personnel in welding fabrication. The main goal was to broaden to area of expertise of welding personnel, so that besides the fundamentals of welding technology and fabrication they get an insight towards risk management in welding fabrication, based on latest European / international standards.The project consortium was composed by partners with complementary skills: ISIM Timisoara (Romania) – national R&D institute in the field of welding and material testing that acts as project coordinator, University of Miskolc (Hungary) - state university with long traditions and great development potentials, TVE Engineering (Hungary) - private SME experienced in risk management with main activity related to reliability and assessment of engineering structures, Quality Management Software AS (Norway) - SME with experience in implementation of e-learning technologies within higher education and VET sector and the European Federation for Welding, Joining and Cutting - international non-profit association aiming at the collaboration in the study and solution of welding-related problems encountered within its fields of competence and in the removal of technical barriers. By having the EWF as partner in the consortium, the project has benefited from its vast experience developing International Qualifications in welding and related technologies, and disseminating results though the member network.The specific objective of the project was establishment of a strategic partnership in order to share the above mentioned multidisciplinary knowledge between the partners of the project and realization of a comprehensive and harmonized course support for welding personnel.All partner brought their own contribution for the project management and for a proper implementation of the project activities. Thus, in the project frame educational materials were developed based on updated EWF 640-18 Guideline and two pilot training course on Risk Management in Welding Fabrication, were joint organized in Romania and Hungary. These courses had a beneficial impact by reducing the differences between national qualifications in the field of risk management in welding fabrication thus contributing to the improvement of mobility of welding professionals in Europe and sustaining the competitiveness of Eastern European countries on the market. As a result of the project activities, actions and events all partners have benefited from the expertise transferred between partners in order to improve the national qualification process of European Welding Fabrication Risk Managers to meet the current European and international requirements. To assure the project visibility, the consortium agreed on keeping the project website www.rmwf.eu as the project main dissemination channel. Thus, after the EU funding ends, the project website will be updated with the latest information regarding organisation of RMWF courses in different European country, news about the integration process of the updated guideline and course material into the EWF network and related to the acceptance of this new qualification at European level by the EWF.