The ongoing mega infrastructural projects created high demand for skilled welders in Bangladesh. To ensure the quality of the welding work in the industry, demand for welding inspectors has also increased. Unfortunately, there was no national-level certification standard for the Welding Inspector occupation.
With the initiative of the Uttoron project, Bangladesh will have a certification system for existing skilled workers who want to pursue a career in welding inspection. Through a two-day validation workshop, NSDA has approved the Competency Standard with support from industry experts and the Light Engineering sector Association. This standard will open an avenue for our youth and veteran welders to pursue a career in a highly demanded occupation. Previously interested individuals could only acquire such certification from international training institutes, which was highly expensive.
The national certification standard will enable to meet the demand of local industry and pave the way to develop advanced standards to meet the international market. In addition, this training will be helpful for the experienced veteran welders by upskilling them.
In 2022, Swisscontact has introduced internationally standardised advanced welding training in Bangladesh in collaboration with Khulna Shipyard. One of the premier shipbuilding organisations in the country has partnered with Swisscontact through the skills development project Uttoron to pioneer four months of advanced welding training. Such advanced-level welding training hasn't previously been provided by any public or private training institute in Bangladesh.
A total of 26 trainees started the training in the first batch in February 2022. After completing the training, the trainees will be assessed by Bureau Veritas, the international welding certification authority.