The project “Welder Training Quality Development” is a part of VJLMTC long-term strategy for the purpose to improve the quality of welding in Lithuania.There are around 700 companies in Lithuania working in the field of welding. 70 percent of the production manufactured in engineering industry in Lithuania is exported. Free movement of products, services and welding staff is taking place on EU market therefore market actors should take all necessary steps to comply with high requirements of common market and ensure appropriate level of workers’ qualification.Welder is one of the most demanded professions for more than 10 years in Lithuania. Despite the fact that in Lithuania there are around 46 educational institutions providing welding trainings, Lithuania still feels the lack of certified welding specialists meeting EU requirements. This is not only due to the emigration of these professionals to other EU countries, but also to the fact that welding technology is one of the few areas where all staff, including welders (workers) and engineers, must be certified. Demand of qualified welders is also determined by requirements of international standards. International welding organisations does not accept the welder’s diplomas of Lithuanian VET schools and this makes negative impact on employment opportunities of many graduates and adversely affects the development of Lithuanian welding industry.Objectives:The purpose of the project “Welder training quality development” is to increase the quality of welding in accordance with international practice and international standards.The aim of WTQuality is to create and test 2 intellectual outputs: 1. The International Welder (IW) training programme and material;2. The online Team Leader training programme for welders E-WeldLead.Number and profile of participating organisations:Project lead: Public institution Vilnius Jerusalem Labour Market Training Centre (VJLMTC, Lithuania)Partners:Lithuanian Welders Association – LWA (Lithuania)Slovensko društvo za varilno tehniko – SIWS (Slovenia) The Environmental Academy Ltd – EA (United Kingdom) Rocketman Studio Limited – RmSL (United Kingdom)Results and impact1. International Welder's (IW) training programme and material prepared.1.1.Welding Supervisor training program was created and piloting implemented (3 trainees completed the course);1.2. IWTraining system was linked to linked to national (modular welder training program).13 modules linked to national training system were prepared;1.3. International Welder Career Model was prepared;2.Research on the training needs of the welding enterprises in Lithuania produced;3.ATB Quality Manual prepared to ensure quality organization, implementation and control of the International welder trainings;3.1.ATB Quality Manual was integrated to Quality Management System of VJLMTC.4.Welding teachers have upgraded their qualifications and gained 4 IWS (International Welding Specialist) diplomas. 20 ISO 9606 certificated obtained.5.14 Participants of IW Pilot Course (17 modules) gained International Welder Qualification;5.1.After completion of Piloting of International Bracket Welding Module 135/136 course 5 International Welders certificates were obtained.6.VJLMTC gained ATB International Welding Accreditation and became the only VET institution in Lithuania having the right to prepare international welders.7.During the implementation of the project the VJLMTC’s welding practical training base was improved by following aspects: teacher qualification was raised (see point 4); the range of services was increased (see points 1, 8); was equipped with methodical tools.8.Welders Team Leaders training program was created in Lithuanian, English and Slovenian languages;9.An online training programme E-WedLead for the preparation of Team Leaders in welding was created in Lithuanian, English and Slovenian languages (29 certificates obtained)Longer-term benefitsDuring the project, VJLMTC obtained the ATB certificate and became the first authorized training centre in Lithuania, which was given the right to train international welders (workers). VJLMTC has created the conditions to meet the needs of the engineering industry and provide the required amount of international welders.International Welder's (IW) training programme is linked to the national welder training program and this allows Lithuanian students to obtain IW qualification in parallel and this facilitates the wider exploitation of project results.Those trainees who have already taken advantage of the products developed by the project have gained a competitive advantage in the EU and Lithuanian labour markets. Higher-skilled professionals have more opportunities to find a job and to work, claim higher salaries, and these factors lead to a better quality of life.