WELDING INSPECTION & QUALITY MANAGEMENT -  SELF STUDY TRAINING COURSE

Delivering excellence in welding inspection and quality management.

COURSE OVERVIEW

This welding inspection & quality management course is unrivalled in the market & is suitable for candidates at all levels, including those new to welding, as no specific qualification entry requirements are needed. Anyone with passion and curiosity can access this world-class welding inspection & quality management education—regardless of academic background.  

Core knowledge gained

• Welding processes and consumables: including the widely used fusion welding processes, arc welding processes, laser beam welding & electron beam welding and their inspection implications.

• Weld discontinuities and defects: classification, causes and acceptance criteria for a wide range of welded products.

• Parent Metals: product standards & grades.

• Quality management principles: for welding control and traceability.

Practical skills

• Visual welding inspection: techniques for identifying and recording defects.

• NDT awareness: how common non‑destructive tests support visual inspection.

• Dimensional and joint verification: for conformity to drawings and specifications.

• Steel preheat temperature determination: to BS EN 1011-2

• Welding Procedure Specifications: How to Develop & Write a Welding Procedure Specification

• Reporting and corrective action: driving defect resolution and prevention.

Standards and compliance

• BS EN 1090: requirements for the UKCA and CE marking of structural steel and aluminium are covered.

• ISO 3834: welding quality management principles and pathways to certification are explained and applied to practical company controls.

Outcomes and workplace impact

• Competence: to carry out repeatable, standards‑based welding inspections.

• Risk reduction: through earlier defect detection and root‑cause analysis.

• Improved quality systems: by aligning shop practices with ISO 3834 and BS EN 1090 expectations.

• Career value: for inspectors, supervisors, quality managers and organisations seeking robust welding quality assurance.

For a complete list of topics covered on the course, see further down the page under the heading: 'COURSE CONTENT.'

The course is offered for completion by flexible self study, so candidates can start and progress through the training at anytime, anywhere & at their own pace. No need to wait for course dates for classroom-based or online training courses and no need to pay travelling expenses & to spend time away paying for hotels & other living expenses. Total estimated self study time required to complete the course is 25 hours. 

Candidates also receive a comprehensive, full-colour Training Handbook that serves as both a course guide and a valuable reference tool after completion of the course.

Industry Sectors 

The knowledge & skills gained on the course are applicable to a wide range of welding industry sectors, including:

🔺 STEEL & ALUMINIUM STRUCTURES, INCLUDING UKCA / CE MARKING TO BS EN 1090

🔺 CONCRETE REINFORCING STEELS 'REBAR' TO ISO 17660

🔺 PRESSURE VESSELS 

🔺 PIPELINES

🔺 RAILWAY VEHICLES TO BS EN 15085

🔺 AEROSPACE

🔺 AUTOMOTIVE

🔺 OIL & GAS

🔺CHEMICAL

🔺POWER GENERATION, INCLUDING NUCLEAR 

🔺RAILS

🔺GENERAL ENGINEERING

🔺DEFENCE

BENEFITS OF CHOOSING OUR TRAINING

Our training offers an excellent choice for the following reasons:

1. Distance Learning: The course is offered as a distance learning, self-study training course, making it accessible to candidates regardless of their location.

2. Flexible Learning: Candidates can start and progress through the training at anytime, anywhere & at their own pace. No need to wait for course dates for classroom-based or online training courses and no need to pay travelling expenses & to spend time away paying for hotels & other living expenses.

3. Full-Colour Training Handbook: Participants receive a comprehensive, full-colour training handbook that serves as both a course guide and a valuable reference tool after completion.

4. Accredited Certifications: Our courses have accreditation from highly experienced, professionally qualified Chartered Engineers, Metallurgists, Materials Engineers & welding experts, with decades of industry experience. The value of our certifications has also been recognised by top organisations & professional bodies. The prominent academic & professional profile of our Course Tutor is shown below under the heading 'Course Tutor: Philip Bralsford CEng MIMMM MWeldI MMet MBA.'

5. Proven Success: Our training has empowered professionals from high-profile organisations & professional bodies including Arcelor Mittal, Bourne Steel, J & D Pierce Contracts Ltd, UKRI - Science & Technologies Facilities Council, TAQA Bratani, Moog Aircraft Group, WQiC, RWE Generation UK PLC, TEi Ltd, Mueller Europe, The Institute of Cast Metal Engineers (ICME), Sulzer and The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC.)

6. Industry-Relevant: Developed by industry experts ensures that the content is both academically rigorous and practically relevant. 

7. Excellent Candidate Feedback: The course has received excellent feedback from candidates who have completed it, highlighting its effectiveness in developing knowledge, skills and understanding:

• 'Thank you for quick turnaround. I really enjoyed the course. Hope to use your services again in the future.'

• 'Fantastic, much better than TWI notes & learned much more during the course.'

• 'Really good course-good pace & very good notes. Thank you.'

• 'Good course, well-paced, good content & structure.'

• 'Informative & well-presented course. Thank you.'

8. No Prior Knowledge Required: The course is suitable for candidates at all levels, including those new to welding & welding inspection, as no specific qualification entry requirements are needed. Anyone with passion and curiosity can access world-class welding education—regardless of academic background.

9. No 5 or 10-year Recertification Required: With Philip Bralsford Consultancy & Training, your certification also has no expiry date—so no 5 or 10-year recertification required. Free up your time, budget and peace of mind to concentrate on real-world quality leadership.

10. Comprehensive Curriculum: This is a comprehensive course. For a complete list of topics covered on the course, see further down the page under the heading: 'COURSE CONTENT.'

11. Career Advancement: The training is designed to enhance your career prospects by increasing your technical knowledge, skills and understanding. 

12. Supportive Environment: Benefit from the support and guidance from professionally qualified & experienced Course Tutors who are industry experts with decades of experience.

SELF STUDY TRAINING COURSE

Our self study training course provides a cost-effective & flexible route for candidates to start & progress through the training at anytime, anywhere & at their own pace.

Total estimated self study time required to complete the course is 25 hours. 

The start date  for the training would follow receipt of payment of the course fees. 

All course materials would be posted & e-mailed to the candidate, including a comprehensive, full-colour training handbook which is posted & which serves as an excellent reference document following completion of the training. There are also links to instructional videos to explain some of the concepts presented in the course.

To complete the course, the candidate works through the Training Handbook. During their progression through the course, the candidate also has the option to request a tutorial session with the course tutor of up to 2 hours duration. The aim of the session, which would be arranged online or by phone, would be to review any issues the candidate may have on their understanding of the course material.

CERTIFICATION

Candidates are assessed on the course by CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENTS and those achieving the required standard will be AWARDED a CERTIFICATE OF ACHIEVEMENT in 'WELDING INSPECTION & QUALITY MANAGEMENT' & CPD 25 HOURS. 

SELF STUDY COURSE BOOKING FORM

Course Fees: £950 per person, inclusive of a comprehensive, full colour Training Handbook & all Assessment & Certification fees.

Please click on the LINK to download and complete the SELF STUDY booking form if you would like to make a booking, or Contact Us if you require any further information. 

COURSE CONTENT

🔺  Definition of Fusion Welding & Solid State Welding

🔺  Definition of a Metal & Alloy

🔺  Useful Properties of Metals & Alloys

🔺 Welding Terms & Definitions

🔺 Welding Codes & Standards

🔺  Review of Parent Metal Product Standards & Grades: 

o BS EN ISO / ASTM / ASME / UNS Parent Metal Product Standards Designation

o Levels of Certification to BS EN 10204

o Hot Rolled Products of Structural Steels

o      Low Alloy & Alloy Steel

o     Concrete Reinforcing Carbon Steel

o Pipeline Steels

o Pressure Vessel Steels

o Stainless Steels

o     Aluminium Alloys

o     Nickel Alloys

🔺 Typical Surface Imperfections / Defects on Parent Metal Products

🔺 Principles of the widely used Fusion Welding processes: 

• Arc welding processes

• Electron Beam welding process

• Laser Beam welding process

🔺 Types of Welded Joints & Welds

🔺 Preheat & Interpass Temperature Measurement & Control

🔺 Steel preheat temperature determination to BS EN 1011-2

🔺 Principles of Heat Treatment after Welding (Post Weld Heat Treatment)

🔺 Welding Positions

🔺 Welding Symbols

🔺 How to Develop & Write a Welding Procedure Specification

🔺 Welder & Welding Operator Qualifications

🔺 Welding Stresses, Distortion & Residual Stress

🔺 The types of welding imperfections that occur in fusion welds & how to avoid them

🔺 The requirements for welding inspection before, during & after welding

🔺 How to carry out a visual inspection of weld quality to the general requirements in BS EN ISO 17637 & the Aerospace requirements in BS ISO 19828

🔺 How to use welding gauges when carrying out a visual welding inspection

🔺The principles, applications, advantages & disadvantages of the various supplementary Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) inspection techniques for the surface & internal inspection of Welds:

• Ultrasonic Testing (UT)

• Radiographic Testing (RT)

• Magnetic Particle Testing (MT) 

• Dye Penetrant Testing (PT) 

• Eddy Current Testing (ET) 

🔺 Weld Repairs

🔺 The specific weld quality requirements for a range of welded products:

• • Steel & aluminium structures in the UK & EU for UKCA Marking to BS EN 1090-2 (steel ) & BS EN 1090-3 (Aluminium.)

  • Welded carbon steel bars for concrete reinforcement to ISO 17660 Parts 1 & 2.

  • Steel & aluminium for railway vehicles and components to BS EN 15085.

  • Pressure vessel steel to BS EN 13445

  • Metallic piping to BS EN 13480

  • Electron Beam & Laser Beam welded products to BS EN ISO 13919

🔺 Welding Quality Management System requirements according to ISO 3834

🔺 Welding Coordination requirements according to BS EN ISO 14731

🔺 BS EN 1090-1: Requirements for the UKCA / CE Marking of Fabrications for Steel & Aluminium Structures 

🔺 Non-conformance reporting, corrective actions & continuous improvement

Course Tutor: Philip Bralsford CEng MIMMM MWeldI MMet MBA

Philip is a highly accomplished metallurgist & materials engineer, welding & quality management specialist, with decades of experience in the field. With an excellent academic background, including a Master of Metallurgy in Advanced Metallurgy from the University of Sheffield, his career has been marked by significant contributions to leading engineering firms such as British Steel, Sheffield Forgemasters and Corus, where he has played a pivotal role in research, product development, quality control and the implementation of innovative solutions.

Philip's proficiency in welding, metallurgy, materials engineering and quality management, when coupled with his project management skills and leadership abilities, has earned him a reputation as a dedicated and results-driven professional. His commitment to excellence is further evidenced by his certifications and memberships in professional organisations including Chartered Engineer (CEng), The Institute of Materials (MIMMM) & The Welding Institute (MWeldI.)

Philip has also designed and implemented comprehensive training programs for engineers and technicians, focusing on metallurgical techniques, materials engineering, welding, corrosion and quality control procedures. He has also authored detailed training manuals and documentation, ensuring that team members have access to valuable resources and best practices for their work.

Philip also has a strong and detailed background in quality management and quality & manufacturing auditing,  especially within the metals manufacturing, engineering, welding, construction & materials sectors. He has worked as a Quality Management Lead Auditor in the concrete reinforcing steels sector for CARES & in the steel construction sector for the Steel Construction Certification Scheme (SCCS) and has successfully completed many Certification Audits. He possesses an ISO 9001 Lead Auditor qualification and a thorough understanding of industry standards and regulations, allowing him to conduct comprehensive & effective quality & manufacturing audits. His analytical skills also enable him to identify discrepancies, inefficiencies & areas for improvement within processes.

Philip provides training for a number of high-profile clients, including: Arcelor Mittal, The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), UKRI-Science & Technology Facilities Council, The Institute of Cast Metals Engineers (ICME), TAQA Bratani, Building Research Establishment (BRE), Moog Aircraft Group, J & D Pierce Contracts Ltd, Bourne Group Ltd, Mueller Europe, TEi Ltd, Ultra Maritime, William Cook Cast Products, WQiC, Voestalpine Bohler Welding & RWE Generation UK PLC.

Philip has received excellent feedback from the clients & candidates who have undertaken his training. For some of their comments see below:

'I`d like to say a big thank you for putting together a course that not only has excellent reference books to work from, but also enabled me to study when I had time. I`m sure the books will be put to good use in the future.'

'Our Engineers have found the course and its subject material very informative and helpful as two engineers relatively new to welding. They have also found the material very well presented and easy to follow.'

'It's been done in a way that's understandable for people who already have some knowledge and for those who don't, It's learnable and understandable.'

'I think there is very little or almost nothing to improve, as the course is very well designed, built and the Tutor is very experienced.'

'Thank you Philip for your time. I've enjoyed the course a lot and after meeting with you, I've learnt even more about the role of an RWC. Thank you again for your feedback on where we need to be and I will continue to make a great effort to learn more.'

‘I felt the course material was invaluable. I came away with a complete understanding simply because it was written by somebody who clearly understood their subject area. I look forward to studying again with Philip.’

Purchase the Training Handbook

You can also purchase separately the full-colour, Training Handbook for this course.

Please Contact Us if you would like to order a copy.

Purchase the Digital Course Materials

We also offer for purchase the digital course materials that would enable training providers provide their own training in 'Welding Inspection & Quality Management.'

When purchasing the digital course materials, you would receive all course materials in digital form, including a comprehensive Microsoft 365 POWERPOINT PRESENTATION, as well as all Assessments for the course. 

The PowerPoint presentation also facilitates a TRAINING HANDBOOK for the course to be printed.

All digital files are also editable to enable you to apply your own branding to the course materials. 

Please Contact Us for a quotation if you are interested in purchasing the digital course materials.