National Welder Training Standard (NWTS)

Established in 2009 to deliver greater uniformity in welder training in the UK, the National Welder Training Standard (NWTS) aims to provide a visible, recognised benchmark for welder training and competence upon which industry can rely.

A variety of organisations conduct welder training - FE colleges, private training organisations as well as individual employers - and several awarding organisations provide welding qualifications.

The NWTS may be adopted by training providers and awarding organisations to establish a harmonised standard to ensure that a welder’s job knowledge and competence is at an appropriate level, and provide a mechanism for the award of European/International Welder Diplomas in the UK.

An important feature of training and employment is compliance with the requirements of the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations, 1998 (PUWER) which came into force in December of that year with the publication of Statutory Instrument SI 1998-2306.

The NWTS Codes of Practice form a national standard for the training of welders, covering practical training for skills, essential job knowledge, welder approval and requirements for training organisations.