BY J.A.A.S. Ranasinghe

In today’s rapidly evolving world of construction and manufacturing, the welding industry stands tall as the foundation of countless projects. With its essential role in joining metal components, welding has become an indispensable tool of modern technology. 

Welding is essential in creating structures that can withstand immense pressure, heat, and various environmental conditions. It is not just about sticking two pieces of metal together; welding requires precision, skill, and knowledge of different welding techniques and materials. It has evolved into a high-tech, precision-driven profession that plays a critical role in construction, shipbuilding, oil and gas, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing sectors. 

Global welding mkt.

Currently, arc welding dominates the total market by over 50%. Globally, there is a total labour force of 775,000 welders of which the United States of America (USA) accounts for around 435,000 welders. Augmented reality (AR) applications are on the rise within the welding industry where AR is improving the quality of fabrication and soldering evaluation before operations begin. AR is expected to significantly influence the training of technicians and students in the fabrication industry. In today’s context, the market is driven by heavy engineering, automotive, construction and aerospace industries.

The global demand for skilled welders has been rising, especially in the Middle East, Europe and the Asia Pacific (APAC). The welding industry has widened career opportunities for welders in the US (0.4-0.8 million), Europe (0.3-1.2 million), and Australia (0.1 million), anticipated attrition on account of retirements, the advancing of technology and changing industries has seen a shortage of welders worldwide. About 25% has been penetrated by the robotic industry.

Expansion of APAC welding mkt.

The APAC market consists of developed markets such as Australia, Japan and emerging markets like China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Vietnam and the Philippines. This economic powerhouse has tremendous potential for growth, creating job opportunities for experienced welders from developing countries like Sri Lanka. The APAC market size is expected to grow from ($) 8.29 billion in 2022 to 11.06 billion in 2030.   

According to Figure 1, APAC market is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 4.2% till 2030 and this upward trend is driven by heavy engineering, automotive, oil and gas industry and aerospace. The estimated investment in urban infrastructural projects is $ 650 billion in India. Japan is expected to lose 50% of its workforce by 2050, requiring around 250,000 welders. According to the Korea Offshore and Shipbuilding Association, the shortage of skilled welders is expected to reach over 11,000 in June of next year (2026), with an additional 36,000 workers being needed by 2027. Whether we are geared to take up this challenge and train Sri Lankan youth for the penetration of this massive market is the question that begs an answer

Remuneration higher than engineers

It is evidently clear that attending a technical school to become a welder is an investment that pays off quick dividends than pursuing a four-year degree course in a foreign country.

Market oppos. lost for SL

There is a significant shortage of skilled welders in Sri Lanka. The shortage of qualified welders has been a recurrent problem since 2019 and it is regrettable that no cohesive strategy has been applied to tap this goldmine. The above assertion was made by the training provider’s composition of the National Vocational Qualification certificates issued by the training providers in 2022.

It was revealed that the public sector technical training institutes such as the Vocational Training Authority (VTA), the National Apprentice and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA), the National Youth Services Council (NYSC), and the Department of Technical Education and Training (DTET) have been playing a dominant role in the supply of welders. The private sector contribution is a mere 1%. The question to be posed is why our technical Institutions have pathetically failed to produce welders even for the local market, leave aside the foreign employment. It is believed that the Tertiary and Vocational Education Commission is in possession of all the vital data but it has escaped its prime attention to analyse these valuable data scientifically and predict the behaviour for the benefit of the policy makers.

Bridging the skills gap

It is timely that our technical colleges and VT institutes must play a more dynamic role in offering certified, modern welding programmes with international standards (AWS, International Organisation for Standardisation). Universities should collaborate with industry partners instead of working in silos. This collaboration will create hybrid courses, integrating theory with practical skills. The application of the digital dimension is of paramount importance in this direction. Modern welding is not only manual but involves robotics, automated welding systems, computer numerical control cutting and quality assurance through digital platforms. We need to prepare graduates for industry 4.0 welding technologies, ensuring competitiveness in global markets.

Fin. support for students

It need not be reiterated the value of financial support for students who are eager to pursue welding but face the paucity of financial resources to pay for training and certification. The National People’s Power, in its election manifesto, has pledged to create a skilled workforce with a view to sending them to foreign labour markets (page 72) and appointed a dynamic minister under the overall supervision of the Prime Minister. It is fervently hoped that the new Government will arrange scholarships, low-interest training loans and private-public partnerships for the benefit of the youth who aspire to enter into the welding profession. Let the energetic minister give a helping hand to the youth to train them as welders with financial support from the banks as a novel project.

Why high failure rates?

A recent case study in relation to the testing of the competency level of the welders has unveiled significant skill gaps among Sri Lankan welders, raising concerns within the supply side – namely the VT institutions exclusively engaged in the training of welders. According to this study, only 5% has passed with high marks, 15% with moderate marks and 10% with low marks, when local welders were screened by a team of foreign companies of South Korea. Why 70% of the high failure rate is the disturbing question that should receive the serious attention of the Government.

The key reasons adduced for the weaker performance according to foreign job agencies had been an insufficient theoretical foundation, inadequate practical training, and the absence of structured industrial apprenticeships, deficiency in knowledge acquisition and the lack of work ethic and discipline. 

When questioned, a former Chairperson of the Bureau of Foreign Employment (BFE) admitted that the weaknesses and deficiencies were not brought to the notice of the relevant training institutions. As of today, our VT institutions are in the complete dark as far as the above adverse findings are concerned so that they could adopt appropriate measures to rectify their shortcomings. The time has come for the Chairpersons of the BFE and the Foreign Employment Agency to have a close dialogue with the VT institutions and the Association of Licensed Foreign Employment Agencies and interact with them on a constant basis. 

Access to VT edu. 

The largest group of 45% of prime youth fail to enter universities and VT institutes due to a lack of opportunities, various obstacles and financial constraints. The country cannot witness another Type-56 culture. We should make every attempt to absorb these youth into the welding profession by arranging funding facilities in collaboration with the banks and the VT institutions. This prime youth cannot be allowed to be destitute.   

Distinctive advantages

Needless to say, there are enormous benefits that the country could accrue by training welders to the local and foreign labour market. On the one hand, the present high rate of unemployment which exceeds 25% of the youth category could be brought to a one digit rate by generating a national welding pool. Poverty has become a national malady and the billions of financial resources drained out annually by way of the ‘Praja Shakthi’ and ‘Samurdhi’ programmes could be drastically reduced, if this vulnerable group can be found employment prevalent in the welding sector.

Collaboration with the pvt. sector

The extent of collaboration with the private sector in the field of VT remains at a low ebb, despite some initiatives being taken to bring these parties together. A deep-rooted mistrust among some sections on both sides of the equation appears to stifle progress in this endeavour. The Government needs to play a catalytic role in forming tripartite partnerships that have contributed tremendously to economic development like in the US, Singapore, etc., particularly through support mechanisms established to support new ventures and start-ups.

Establishment of a new institute 

It is a matter of satisfaction that Colombo Dockyard PLC former Managing Director Dr. Sarath Obeysekera has ventured into a new VT facility with the collaboration of the IDM Nations Campus International, which has earned a niche name in the field of higher education and training at Magalle, Galle. When inquired, Dr. Obeysekera who is synonymous with the welding industry as a high-profile chief executive officer (CEO) un-hesitantly said that several host of factors prompted him to this collaboration.

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Hands on training

This institute offers extensive hands-on training in a state-of-the-art welding lab, allowing students to practise and master welding techniques under the guidance of experienced instructors, which is sadly lacking in most of the training institutes. This primarily led to this collaboration. Collaboration with leading welding companies provide students with real-world exposure, access to industry experts and potential internship and job opportunities. This was another key factor, he said. Regular workshops and seminars conducted by industry professionals and university academics enhance students’ knowledge and skills, keeping them updated with the latest trends and technologies. He said that this is extremely important. He recalled the high-failure rates of welders, when screened by foreign companies.

Career develop. support 

The new venture provides comprehensive capacitor discharge services and helps the students’ transition smoothly into the workforce. Flexible learning options include evening and weekend classes to accommodate students with diverse schedules and commitments and on-line theory sessions. The new Institute is equipped with advanced equipment and facilities including AR simulators, ensuring that students are trained using industry-standard tools and techniques. Curriculum differentiation on extensive theory in detail by providing metallurgy and welding is another key driver, he said. In essence, he said, unlocking excellence where precession meets passion in every weld is the motto of this new venture.

Making a statement, IDM Nations Campus International CEO Dr. Lionel Pinto said that the world of work is changing at lightning speed. His mission goes beyond teaching the art of welding – it prepares students to thrive in a world where technology and craftsmanship intersect. In this process, the inculcation of soft skills is also given a high priority, he said.

Let us reposition welding as a respectable and future-ready profession. With the right support from the Government, educational and vocational institutions and industry leaders, Sri Lanka can become a hub for world-class welding professionals. Over to you, the Premier Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and the Minister in charge of VT, Nalin Hewage.

(The writer is a productivity and management consultant)

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(The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication)