LocationsAs businesses require increasingly strong and precise welds, the need for skilled welders is growing across industries. To address the rising demand for skilled young workers, UNDP and the Belarusian Ministry of Education have partnered to support the development of a workforce aligned with the needs of modern industries in Belarus.
Heating Up Welding Training to Fuel Future Industrial Growth
August 14, 2024
Photo: UNDP in Belarus
The welding industry has seen remarkable technological progress in recent years, with innovations like robotic and laser welding, augmented reality (AR) techniques and equipment are leading the way.
According to Fortune Business Insights, the global welding market size was valued at US$ 23.75 billion in 2022 and is projected to grow to US$ 34.18 billion by 2030.
Welding is a crucial skill that forms the foundation of many industries, from construction to manufacturing. As industries continue to innovate and develop cutting-edge technologies and infrastructure, the demand for skilled welders is growing.
To address this need, collaboration between educational institutions, businesses, and international organizations is essential.
Investing in comprehensive training programms can nurture a new generation of welders with the necessary skills and knowledge. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Belarus partnered with the Ministry of Education to support the development of training programs that address the evolving needs of Belarus’ industries in a wide range of professions, including welding.
Identifying and cultivating the future job skills in young people is essential for preparing them to succeed in the dynamic job market of tomorrow. By equipping youth with a diverse skill set that includes technical proficiencies and digital literacy, empowers them to adapt to technological advancements and evolving industries. To bridge the gap between education and employment, skill development programs like this should prioritize hands-on training and mentorship aligned with industry demands.
A recent training session on "Welding Technologies" was held at the Industrial and Pedagogical College of UE RIPO in Minsk. This four-day event brought together vocational education teachers and industry training masters from across Belarus who specialize in welding for skills competitions.
The training aimed to enhance the skills of educators responsible for preparing students for national and international professional skills competitions.
Photo: UNDP in Belarus
Over the four days, participants practiced real competition tasks, upgraded their welding techniques, and learned to evaluate their work based on competition criteria.
These training programs play a vital role in bridging the skills gap and preparing the next generation of workers for success. But the benefits go beyond technical training. The events also foster a nationwide community of welding experts.
The training was led by the certified experts of the National Welding School "Russian Welders Team" (RWT) – Svetlana Dukova, Director of Educational Projects and Bogdan Romanovskiy, Welding Instructor and gold medalist in the 2022 "Young Professionals" Championship.
Bogdan Romanovskiy thinks that such networking is essential for advancing vocational training standards in Belarus.
Photo: UNDP in Belarus
"Educators need to constantly update their knowledge and stay on top of new technologies," he says. "Today's students learn differently. They seek creative solutions and value the freedom to choose their approach. It's crucial for educators to adapt and exchange experiences within the professional community."
In 2024 alone, nine training sessions have been conducted, preparing 88 educators and trainers from across Belarus for various professional skills competitions.
These trainings are part of the "Developing youth innovation potential for accelerated sustainable development in Belarus" project, implemented by UNDP Belarus in partnership with the Ministry of Education of Belarus, and UE RIPO.
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