Internation Welding Engineer Education

[kacarrol]

Good afternoon,

I am looking at taking the IWE courses and was hoping I could get some input/tips from people who have already completed the training or just general opinions from anyone in the work force on getting this designation.

In particular I am looking at taking the course through SLV Duisburg (

http://www.slv-duisburg.de/home-slv-duisburg-e/education/distancelearning/distancelearningiwe1).

I have briefly looked at TWI also, but it looks like SLV is better set up for distance education. Does anyone know how these two schools compare? If you are reading this post and have a degree in this field; where did you go and how would you rate the program?

I live in Canada and am hoping to work full time, as much as I can, while completing the degree. I have a BASc in mechanical engineering and have enough experience to apply for my P Eng in the next couple of months.

Regards,
K

 

[kacarrol]

Figures, I spell checked the post but not the title to the post. Sorry guys!

 

[emonje]

I took IWE from Japan in Feb 2010.

IMO the most important thing you’ll learn is which things are most important. When I studied for my BSc in ME there were so many things & issues with welding that I found myself lost & not sure if I could be useful in any practical application. In ~6 months of lectures & practice for IWE they covered many things but repeated some issues again & again from different perspectives until you started uttering them in your sleep.

Later I found that if you know these particular things well then others come pretty much automatically & you’re quite suitable for almost any kind of welding challenge.

As far I know the exams vary depending on which ANB you choose. IIW is trying to implement a “harmonized” system but as far I know it’s still long way to go.

 

[kingnero]

Being an IWE for years but haven't always worked as one, I think it's a great basic course to start however you'll need much practical work as you cannot learn it all from a desk.
Being able to weld yourself will make you wonder much more as when you approach everything theoretical. you can ask yourself the question, how would I tackle that, and only if you fully know how, than you can order another person how to do something.

I would suggest taking the course at a school instead of distance education, for me it took 2 years at ratio of about one day per week (theoretical) and another 30 days practical sessions.
And I have to say, the practical lessons were as valuable as the theoretical side (gotta say, I done IWS in my first year after school, so I already knew some of the basics).