Australia is grappling with a welding workforce crisis, with a projected shortfall of 70,000 skilled welders by 2030 threatening major national projects.
The projects under threat include South Australia’s $9.9 billion Torrens to Darlington (T2D) project, the AUKUS submarine initiative, and critical shipbuilding programmes.
With larger firms absorbing available talent, small to medium-sized businesses are struggling to remain operational.
In response, Weld Australia has launched an innovative micro-credential programme designed to rapidly train job-ready, certified welders in just 12 weeks.
Weld Australia CEO, Geoff Crittenden, said the programme complements traditional apprenticeships, offering a comprehensive solution to address both immediate and long-term workforce demands.
“The welding industry’s existing apprenticeship model is crucial, producing highly skilled and versatile welders. However, the urgent demand for welders on key national projects simply cannot wait for the three to four years required to fully train apprentices,” he said.
Weld Australia’s micro-credential programme offers an immediate solution by providing students with targeted procedure training aligned with the ISO 9606 standard.
This standard certifies individuals to perform specific welding procedures, allowing them to become job-ready in as little as 12 weeks, depending on the intensity of the programme.
Importantly, students who complete the ISO 9606 micro-credential are in an ideal position to continue their training through an apprenticeship, entering the programme with accelerated knowledge and hands-on experience that will help them progress faster and more confidently.
“Rather than competing with traditional apprenticeship programmes, our micro-credential approach fills the gaps and enhances the offering. It allows students to start contributing to the workforce quickly, while still keeping the door open for further, long-term training,” Crittenden said.
“This way, we have a comprehensive approach to addressing the welding shortage with short, medium, and long-term solutions.
“The ISO 9606 certification gives employers a job-ready welder—someone who can step onto a project and deliver the required welds from day one. It’s a much-needed approach to help address the welding shortage without compromising on quality or safety.”
The programme also aims to engage marginalised groups, including Indigenous communities, women, and the long-term unemployed, building on the success of Weld Australia’s prison welding programmes.
School leavers are another key focus, providing them with a fast pathway into the workforce and competitive wages, with options to continue training through apprenticeships.
To ensure the programme reaches areas of greatest demand, Weld Australia is establishing welding academies and forging partnerships with key industry stakeholders. This approach will address immediate workforce needs while creating a sustainable pipeline of skilled workers for the future.
“With these welding academies, we’re creating a sustainable solution for the future of Australia’s welding workforce. We’re addressing today’s crisis while also planning for the long-term needs of industry,” Crittenden said.