Welding Training for Employers: Understanding the Units of Competency

Welding is an important aspect of many industrial processes, and it is crucial employees are trained to do it safely and effectively. As an employer, you may be considering investing in welding training for your staff, but you may be unsure of the different components involved.

Welding Training and its Three Units of Competency

In this blog post, we’ll break down the three separate units of competency (UOCs) involved in welding training: TLIW3015 – Weld rail using aluminothermic welding process, TLIW0006 – Heat and cut materials using OXY-LPG equipment for the rail industry, and TLIW0004 – Grind rails, as well as the different welding processes which can be included in the TLIW3015 UOC.

CERT Training offers the following welding courses nationally:

• TLIW3015 Weld rail using aluminothermic welding process (RAILTECH or Thermit)
• TLIW0006 Heat and cut materials using OXY-LPG Equipment for the rail industry
• TLIW0004 Grind rails
• TLIW0036 Apply electric welding process to rail (Standard carbon only)

All welding courses allow for a maximum of 4 trainees per course. Participants must bring their own personal protective equipment (PPE) and equipment to complete the training, which consists of both theory and practical components. Some basic personal protective equipment required include cotton drill long-sleeve shirt and pants, welders gloves and welding goggles. (CERT will provide additional information on what welding PPE is required during the enrolment process).

Aluminothermic Welding Training

TLIW3015 Weld rail using aluminothermic welding process (RAILTECH or Thermit) is the first UOC and covers the basics of welding in the rail industry.This unit is typically taught over the course of 5 days.

When it comes to welding processes, there are several options which can be included in the TLIW3015 UOC. These include the Thermit SKVE-SU ELITE, SKVE-MU, SMWF-MU, and RAILTECH Welding processes, as well as the PLCK- (SU) Wide gap and PLKCJ (SU) processes. Each of these processes has its own unique features and benefits and choosing the right one for your needs depends on the type of welding you’ll be doing, the materials you’ll be welding, and the gap size you’ll be working with.

Oxy-Welding Training

TLIW0006 – Heat and cut materials using OXY-LPG equipment for the rail industry focuses on the safe use of oxygen and liquified petroleum gas (LPG) cutting equipment in the rail industry. This UOC can be trained as a standalone unit, so you don’t have to include Welding or Grind rails if you don’t need them.

Grind Rails Training

Finally, TLIW0004 is another UOC which can be trained as a standalone unit. This unit teaches employees how to grind rails safely and effectively, without the need for Welding or OXY-LPG gas cutting.

When you apply for welding training, you have the option to choose from three separate UOCs, each of which can be trained as a standalone unit. Additionally, within the TLIW3015 UOC, you have the option to choose from several different welding processes, each of which has its own unique features and benefits. This gives you the flexibility to choose the training most relevant to your needs and your employees’ work and skills needs. So, whether you need to train your staff in welding, heating and cutting, or grinding, make sure you understand the different UOCs available and choose the one that’s right for you and your business.

We host welding training nationally which is tailored to your needs. To enquire about rail training, contact us on: 1300 042 3780 or, click your state below to follow the link to welding.

• Western Australia
• South Australia
• Queensland
• New South Wales
• Victoria
• Tasmania