PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN WELDING ENGINEERING (CWE)

COURSE OVERVIEW

A professional certificate that proves real industry competence and which is affordable, accessible, flexible & timely.

This is a fast-track & cost-effective Welding Engineering course which is unrivalled in the market and which provides candidates with comprehensive knowledge & skills in welding engineering applicable to the welding of a wide range of ferrous metals including steel, stainless steel & cast iron & non-ferrous metals including Nickel alloys; Aluminium alloys; Titanium alloys; Magnesium alloys; Zirconium alloys; Cobalt alloys & Copper Alloys.

Choose this course if you want a deep, practical, industry‑ready understanding of welding engineering — the knowledge that transforms careers and elevates you from “welding‑aware” to “welding expert”. 

The Professional Certificate in Welding Engineering (CWE) is a professionally‑recognised technical qualification developed by a Chartered Engineer, with professional expertise in welding technology, welding inspection, metallurgy, materials engineering and quality management. Employers value it because it provides the competence they actually need: understanding welding metallurgy, WPS/WPQR requirements, defect mechanisms and quality standards such as ISO 3834, EN 1090 and ASME IX.

The course offers an affordable, accessible & flexible alternative to gain professional welding engineering training and which is ideal for:

• supervisors

• inspectors

• RWCs

• QA/QC

• technicians

• engineers

• trainees & apprentices

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.

No Prior Knowledge Required 

The course is suitable for candidates at all levels, including those new to welding engineering, as no specific qualification entry requirements are required. 

Self Study

The course is completed by self study, which means 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. 

All course materials would be posted & e-mailed to the candidate. 

Total estimated self study time required to complete the course is 70 hours. 

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

Career Advancement

The course is designed to enhance candidates' career prospects by increasing their technical knowledge, skills, and understanding. 

Course Content

Fundamentals of Welding & Welding Processes

This chapter establishes the scientific and technical foundations of welding. It introduces the definitions of welding, metals and alloys, and explains the key mechanical and physical properties that influence weldability. Learners explore fundamental metallurgy, essential welding terminology and the decision‑making process for selecting appropriate welding processes.

A comprehensive overview of welding technologies is provided, covering fusion welding (arc, gas, thermit), resistance welding (spot, projection, butt, seam), beam welding (electron beam, laser, hybrid), and solid‑state processes (friction, FSW, ultrasonic, explosive, diffusion). The chapter also covers welding codes and standards, joint types, thermal cutting, fatigue considerations, welding positions, symbols, WPS development, welder qualification, distortion and residual stress, and post‑weld heat treatment—including temper embrittlement, J‑Factor/X‑Factor and Ac1 estimation.

Review of Arc Welding Processes 

This chapter provides a focused technical review of arc welding. It explains the degree of automation, key arc parameters, and how these influence weld quality and productivity. Each major arc welding process is examined in detail, including MMA, TIG, MIG / MAG, FCAW, MCAW, SAW and PAW.

Consumable types, classifications, and selection criteria are also covered, enabling learners to understand how filler metals and shielding gases affect weld integrity and performance.

Welding Inspection & Welding Quality Management 

This chapter covers the full lifecycle of welding inspection—from material certification and equipment calibration to pre‑weld, in‑process, and final inspection. It explains preheat and interpass control, common welding imperfections and methods to prevent them.

Visual inspection requirements are aligned to BS EN ISO 17637 (general) and BS ISO 19828 (aerospace). NDT methods (RT, UT, MPI, PT, ET) are introduced, along with weld repair principles.

The chapter also details weld quality requirements across key industry standards: structural steel / aluminium (BS EN 1090), pressure vessels (BS EN 13445‑5), railway vehicles (BS EN 15085‑3), piping (BS EN 13480‑5), reinforcing bars (ISO 17660) and beam‑welded products. It concludes with welding quality management systems, including ISO 3834, welding coordination responsibilities (BS EN ISO 14731) and non‑conformance / corrective action processes.

Developing & Writing a Qualified Welding Procedure Specification 

This chapter explains the full lifecycle of welding procedure qualification. It introduces the three key stages: drafting the preliminary WPS (pWPS), obtaining a WPQR / WPAR through destructive testing and writing the final WPS. Destructive tests include tensile, Charpy impact, fracture toughness, proof, hardness, bend, fracture tests and macro / micro examination. A worked case study demonstrates WPS development for S355 structural steel.

Welding of Steel 

A comprehensive review of steel metallurgy, weldability and product standards. Topics include CEV and PCM calculations, chemical composition and standards for structural, pressure vessel, pipeline and concrete reinforcement steels. Low‑alloy and alloy steels are covered in depth, including CrMo / CrMoV steels, cryogenic steels, maraging steels, sour‑service steels and Hadfield manganese steel. The chapter also examines major cracking mechanisms—solidification, lamellar tearing, reheat cracking, and hydrogen‑induced cracking—and the BS EN 1011‑2 method for determining preheat temperature.

Welding of Cast Iron

Covers the metallurgy and weldability of grey, ductile, white, and malleable cast irons. Explains why cast irons are crack‑sensitive and outlines special welding techniques such as controlled heat input, nickel‑based fillers, and preheat / slow cooling.

Welding of Stainless Steel

A detailed review of all stainless steel families: austenitic, ferritic, martensitic, precipitation‑hardening, and duplex. For each class, the chapter explains metallurgy, fabrication issues, weldability, and susceptibility to defects such as sensitisation, sigma‑phase formation, hydrogen cracking  and loss of toughness.

Dissimilar Metals Joining by Welding & Brazing

Explores the metallurgical constraints that govern dissimilar metal welding, including dilution, thermal expansion mismatch, and formation of brittle phases. Topics include filler metal selection, buttering techniques, and case studies such as carbon steel to austenitic stainless steel and P91 to stainless steel. Brazing is introduced as an alternative joining method.

Welding of Nickel Alloys

Covers the metallurgy, fabrication issues, weldability, and common imperfections in nickel‑based alloys. Emphasis is placed on heat‑affected zone control, hot cracking and filler metal compatibility.

Welding of Aluminium Alloys

Explains aluminium metallurgy, temper designations, purchasing considerations, weldability and typical imperfections such as porosity, lack of fusion and hot cracking.

Welding of Titanium Alloys

Focuses on titanium’s reactivity, the need for inert gas shielding and the metallurgical behaviour of alpha, beta, and alpha‑beta alloys. Covers weldability and common defects.

Welding of Magnesium, Zirconium, Cobalt & Copper Alloys 

Each chapter provides a concise overview of metallurgy, weldability and key fabrication considerations for these specialist alloys. 

Full-Colour Training Handbook

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.

Tutor Support

Candidates also have the support of a Course Tutor as they progress through the course.

Accreditation

Our courses also have accreditation from highly experienced, professionally qualified Chartered Engineers (CEng), Materials Engineers, Metallurgists (MIMMM) & Welding Technologists (MWeldI), with decades of industry experience working for leading engineering companies such as British Steel, Sheffield Forgemasters & Corus. The value of our certifications to industry has also been recognised by top organisations & professional bodies. 

Recognition from Leading Organisations, Professional Bodies & Universities

We have trained more than 700 candidates on our courses including professionals from leading organisations & professional bodies including: Arcelor Mittal; Bourne Steel; J & D Pierce Contracts Ltd; UKRI - Science & Technologies Facilities Council; TAQA Bratani; Moog Aircraft Group; Millar Callaghan Engineering Services Ltd; Murphy Group; Professional Lifting Services Ltd; Mclaren Automotive; Mueller Europe; WQiC; Harold Newsome Ltd; HyTen Chatham; William Haley Engineering Ltd; RWE Generation UK PLC; TEi Ltd; The Institute of Cast Metal Engineers (ICME); Sulzer; Thames Reinforcements and The Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC.)

Excellent Feedback

The course has received excellent feedback from candidates who have completed it, highlighting its effectiveness in developing knowledge, skills, and understanding. For some of their comments, see below under the HEADING: 'CANDIDATE FEEDBACK ON OUR TRAINING.'

INDUSTRY SECTORS

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

🔺 STEEL & ALUMINIUM STRUCTURES

🔺 CONCRETE REINFORCING STEELS 'REBAR'

🔺 PRESSURE VESSELS 

🔺 PIPELINES

🔺 RAILWAY VEHICLES

🔺 AEROSPACE

🔺 AUTOMOTIVE

🔺 OIL & GAS

🔺CHEMICAL

🔺POWER GENERATION, INCLUDING NUCLEAR 

🔺RAILS

🔺GENERAL ENGINEERING

🔺DEFENCE

ASSESSMENT & CERTIFICATION

Candidates are assessed on the training by continuous assessments and those who achieve the required standard will be certificated with a 'PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE IN WELDING ENGINEERING (CWE)' & CPD 70 HOURS.

COURSE FEES & BOOKING FORM

Course Fees: £1750 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 on the course. 

CANDIDATE FEEDBACK ON OUR TRAINING

As shown below, we have received some EXCELLENT FEEDBACK from the candidates who have completed the course:

'Thank you for the certificate, I really appreciate the time you’ve taken to mark it and send it back. Thank you for putting on the course, it has been very interesting and will enhance my career as I have changed from a completely different world to this so the information provided will be a great help going forward.'

'Really enjoyed the course, very detailed but not too deep to understand.'

'A thank you to Philip for the advice, guidance and overall support.'

'Thank you for the support and guidance along the way, I have really enjoyed completing the course.

If I come across any others interested I will definitely recommend.'

'Really enjoyed the course. The material was great & Phil was always available when "I couldn't see the woods for the trees".'

'I would like to say thanks for a wonderful & informative course. The two books were superb & will become a staple of my guidance notes along with all the relevant standards.'

'Really enjoying the course & the content is excellent.'

'Excellent course, CWE certificate recognised and assisted on where I am today (Saudi Aramco.)'

'Great course notes & the fact that I could carry out the units at my own pace fitting it in around work & social time.'

'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.'

'I have enjoyed the course very much and have found the course manuals to be brilliant.'

‘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 Bralsford.’

'Well constructed course notes covering inspection, NDE, welding processes and a special thank you for easy to read welding of various materials, especially non-ferrous metals which can be very complex.'

'The expertise & background of the instructor is amazing and brings ultimate excellence for the level of shared information.'

'It was brilliant to have some discussions with the other attendees last week in the welding / materials area.'

'Great content and very knowledgeable presenter.'

'Well-structured and well-designed course.'

'Sincere thanks for award of certificates. It was a pleasure to attend the training course which certainly widened our horizons and gave us loads of insight into the subject of Welding Engineering. Sincerely appreciated.'

'I thoroughly enjoyed the training.'

'I found the course to be really informative and worthwhile over the last few months after leaving a mainly composites / polymers based job role. It’s been a great way of refreshing my memory whilst learning about the complexities of welding various materials so thanks for this.'

'The course notes were excellent and I thoroughly enjoyed the course.'

Course Tutor: Philip Bralsford CEng MIMMM MWeldI DipMet MMet MBA

Philip is a Chartered Engineer with professional accreditation in Metallurgy, Materials Engineering and Welding, Lead Auditor qualifications & decades of experience in industry.

With a distinguished academic background, including a Diploma in Metallurgy (DipMet) with Distinction and Master of Metallurgy (MMet) 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 commitment to excellence is further evidenced by his accreditations from professional bodies including Chartered Engineer (CEng), professional Member of The Institute of Materials (MIMMM) and professional Member of the The Welding Institute (MWeldI.)

Philip has also designed and implemented comprehensive training programmes focusing on metallurgical techniques, materials materials science & engineering, welding technology, corrosion engineering and quality management.  He has also authored a range of industry-leading publications 'Materials Engineering Handbooks.'

Philip provides training for a number of high-profile clients & professional bodies, 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); McLaren Automotive; 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.