Professional AWS Welding Training Course – Skill Enhancement & International Certification

Course Introduction

The advanced welding training course based on AWS (American Welding Society) standards is a program designed for welders, technicians, supervisors, and managers in the mechanical engineering and fabrication sectors. The program focuses on three common welding methods: TIG, MIG/MAG, and Laser welding, harmoniously combining theory and practice to help trainees grasp solid knowledge and master practical skills.

The course not only provides professional knowledge of international standards but also guides how to establish and utilize WPS, PQR, WPQ, master robotic welding systems, and practice weld quality inspection according to technical procedures.

MIG, TIG, OAW welding training class
Welding practice

Why Participate in This Welding Training Course?

  • Master modern TIG, MIG/MAG, and Laser welding techniques.
  • Training aligned with international AWS standards – a foundation for CW/CRAW certification exams.
  • Learn to read welding blueprints, symbols, and develop WPS procedures.
  • Practice directly on real equipment, including robotic welding systems.
  • Analyze and handle welding defects; inspect weld quality using VT, PT, UT, RT methods.
  • Learn from experienced instructors from top technical universities.

TIG Welding

Course Details

1. Training Objectives
  • Equip foundational knowledge of TIG, MIG, and Laser welding processes.
  • Understand AWS standards regarding materials, joints, welding parameters, safety, and inspection.
  • Know how to read welding drawings, symbols, and build WPS/PQR procedures.
  • Enhance skills for skilled welders, welding foremen, supervisors, and managers.

TIG Welding Stainless Steel

2. Training Duration
  • Theory: 48 periods
  • Practice: 48 periods
3. Instructors
  • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Hai – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, HCMUT – VNU-HCM
  • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thanh Truong – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, HCMUT – VNU-HCM
  • MSc. Phan Van Toan – PhD Candidate – Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, HCMUT – VNU-HCM
4. List of Abbreviations
No.AbbreviationFull Name
1HCMUTHo Chi Minh City University of Technology
2VNUVietnam National University
3TIGTungsten Inert Gas
4GTAWGas Tungsten Arc Welding
5MIGMetal Inert Gas
6GMAWGas Metal Arc Welding
7MAGMetal Active Gas
8LAWLaser Arc Welding
9AWSAmerican Welding Society
10WPSWelding Procedure Specification
11PQRProcedure Qualification Record
12WPQWelder Performance Qualification
13CWICertified Welding Inspector
14CWCertified Welder
15CRAWCertified Robotic Arc Welder
16ATFAccredited Test Facility
17PPEPersonal Protective Equipment
18QCQuality Control
19VTVisual Testing
20PTPenetrant Testing
21MTMagnetic Particle Testing
22UTUltrasonic Testing
23RTRadiographic Testing
5. Theory Training Curriculum
No.ContentDuration (periods)
Module 1Evaluation process and welder certification according to AWS standards

1. Overview of AWS Welder Certification
1.1 Distinguish between:
  • Official AWS Certificate (Certified Welder – CW)
  • Internal company certificate based on AWS standards
1.2 Validity period – scope – renewal
2. Components of AWS certification dossier
3. Official certification exam process (AWS CW – issued by ATF)
4. Internal certification process (confirmed by company & CWI)
5. Requalification
6. Comparison of internal vs. international certificates
7. Responsibilities of parties in certification
4
Module 2GTAW (TIG) Welding

1. Overview and working principle
2. Structure and TIG welding equipment
3. Welding modes and operating parameters
4. Consumables: base metal and filler metal
5. Practical applications of TIG welding
6. Common defects and remedies
7. Safety in TIG welding
4
Module 3GMAW (MIG/MAG) Welding

1. Overview and working principle
2. Structure and MIG/MAG welding equipment
3. Welding modes and operating parameters
4. Consumables: base metal and wire
5. Practical applications of MIG/MAG welding
6. Common defects and remedies
7. Safety in MIG/MAG welding
4
Module 4Overview of LAW (Laser Welding)

1. Overview and working principle
2. Structure and LAW equipment
3. Welding modes and operating parameters
4. Consumables: base metal and filler
5. Practical applications of LAW
6. Common defects and remedies
7. Safety in LAW
3
Module 5AWS Standard Structure and Related Documents

1. AWS D1.1 (steel), D1.2 (aluminum), QC7, B2.1, A2.4
2. ASTM vs. AWS vs. ISO – Understanding correlations
3. How to read and apply standards in business
2
Module 6Welding Technical Documentation – WPS, PQR, WPQ

1. Explaining the role and creation process
2. Reading and analyzing a real-world WPS case
3. Application in quality management and certification exams
2
Module 7Base Materials & Consumables

1. Carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, and alloys
2. Properties affecting weldability
3. Classification of electrodes/wires according to AWS A5.x
4. Shielding gases – by material and welding method
3
Mid-term Examination4
Module 8Influence of Material Surface

1. Oxide layers, grease, rust – cleaning methods
2. Material thickness and current selection
3. Importance of weld edge preparation
2
Module 9Welding Symbols and Blueprints (AWS A2.4/ISO 2553)

1. Weld symbols, welding positions, joint types
2. Reference lines, arrows, supplementary notes
3. Distinguishing technical drawings vs. welding drawings
2
Module 10Defects and Weld Inspection

1. Types of defects: undercut, lack of fusion, cracks, etc.
2. Causes – consequences – remedies
3. Inspection methods (VT, PT, MT, UT, RT) – pros and cons
4
Module 11Welding Safety and Organizational Role

1. PPE, toxic gases, arc radiation
2. Responsibilities of welders, team leaders, supervisors, and managers
3. Process monitoring – logging – record keeping
2
Module 12Robotic MIG/MAG Welding: Principles and Characteristics

1. Robotic system structure: manipulator, controller, wire feeder
2. Characteristics of MIG/MAG arc in automated welding
3. Differences between manual and robotic welding: travel path, speed, torch angle
4. Effect of torch position and robot speed on weld quality
5. Common robot welding defects: off-seam, spatter, poor penetration
6. WPS setup standards for robotic welding per AWS
4
Module 13AWS Standards and Certification in Robotic Welding

1. Roles related to robotic welding per AWS
2. Distinguishing between Certified Welder (CW) and Robot Operator/Programmer
3. Applicable AWS standards: D16.4, QC19, B5.25
4. Path to AWS Certified Robotic Arc Welding (CRAW)
5. Requirements for programming skills, WPS, weld inspection
6. Simulation of CRAW exam according to AWS D16.4
4
Module 14Theory Examination (40 multiple choice + 2 essay questions)

(Certificate of completion for internal AWS welding theory program)
4
6. Practical Training Curriculum
No.ContentDuration (periods)
Session 1Equipment Preparation and Pre-weld Safety

Installation and inspection guide:
  • – Welding machine, power cord, gas hose, grounding
  • – Welding torch, liner, wire spool
  • – PPE: mask, helmet, gloves, jacket, goggles
  • – Cleaning welding parts
4
Session 2Adjusting Welding Modes per Actual WPS

Reading and operating sample WPS
  • – Setting current, voltage, wire feed speed
  • – Changing parameters and observing effects
4
Session 3Troubleshooting Practice

Identifying common situations:
  • – Arc too short/long
  • – Insufficient shielding gas
  • – Excessive spatter, lack of fusion, undercut
  • – Proposing machine adjustments
4
Session 4Recording Parameters and Welding Records

Guide to creating:
  • – Weld log
  • – WPQ form (Welder Performance Qualification)
  • – QC report (visual inspection record)
4
Session 5Post-weld Inspection (Visual and Gauges)

Visual inspection practice per AWS D1.1
  • – Using welding gauges, magnifying glass, flashlight
  • – Measuring reinforcement height, weld width
  • – Identifying common defects (cracks, porosity, lack of fusion…)
4
Session 6Rework Practice

Rewelding defective parts according to instructions
  • – Analyzing defect causes
  • – Cleaning old weld, rewelding with adjusted parameters
4
Session 7Mock Test for AWS CW Certification

Simulating the exam process:
  • – Each trainee welds 1 test coupon
  • – According to specified WPS and position
  • – Preliminary grading by CWI or QC supervisor
4
Session 8Comparing Pass/Fail Welds – Learning from Mistakes

Viewing actual samples or photos
  • – Trainees discuss and analyze: operator error or equipment error?
4
Session 9Material Identification Practice – Reading Steel/Aluminum Symbols

Using AWS A5.x and ASTM classification tables
  • – Distinguishing carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum
  • – Practicing material lookup to select suitable rod/wire
4
Session 10Practice Welding Positions 1G – 4G per AWS D1.1

Practicing each position with steel, aluminum, stainless samples:
  • – Butt joint, fillet weld
  • – Flat, horizontal, overhead, vertical positions
4
Session 11Robotic MIG/MAG Welding Practice

  • – Familiarization with welding robot system: arm, controller, wire feeder
  • – Basic path programming using teach pendant
  • – Setting welding parameters per WPS: current, voltage, wire speed
  • – Welding butt/fillet joints – checking actual results
  • – Analyzing common errors: path deviation, spatter, lack of penetration
4
Final Examination & Evaluation4