Frequently Asked Questions



Policy Makers

Q1- What is the added value for students and trainees to get a qualification from the IAMQS?

A1- One of the main advantages for a trainee or student in becoming qualified within the IAMQS is the international recognition of the awarded diploma.


Benefits for Trainees and /or students:

  •        Access to an internationally recognized AM Qualification System;
  •        Worldwide mobility and professional recognition;
  •        AM Qualifications is in line with industrial requirements and in compliance with Qualification of Personnel Standards under ISO and ASTM;
  •        Award International AM Diplomas recognized by Industry;
  •        Awarding of a Record of Achievement per completed Modules / Competence Units;
  • Quality Assurance in the implementation of training & assessment (EWF Quality Assurance System - Based on ISO 17024).

Q2- Is the system harmonised and is the training consistent among different countries?

A2- Yes, the IAMQS assures harmonised knowledge, skills, autonomy and responsibility for any holder of a diploma, in any region of the world.


The harmonisation of AM training for different professional levels is possible among different countries because:

  • Training guidelines describe the learning outcomes, contents and recommended hours and workload of training;
  • Assessment procedures and tools are harmonised and performed by a third-party organisation;
  • Rules and requirements are defined for training organisations that implement the Systems’ training Guidelines;

The quality assurance system, underpinning the IAMQS, guarantees its relevance, competitiveness and harmonisation.


Q3- Why is the system considered to be international and not European? 

A3- The IAMQS is used in several counties, and although the focus is to ensure the European and national implementation of the System, AM is applied by different industries worldwide, which better accept the “international” term as they are strongly connected to international Standards.


According to European Commission, an International Qualification” is a qualification awarded by a legally established international body (association, organisation, sector or company) or by a national body acting on behalf of an international body that is used in more than one country and that includes learning outcomes assessed with reference to standards established by an international body)”. Source: (https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/ceead970-518f-11e7-a5ca-01aa75ed71a1, annex 1 definitions; d)


The IAMQS covers:

  •          One or more qualifications awarded by a legally established international body (association, organisation, sector or company) or by a national body acting on behalf of an international body (In this case EWF)
  •          One or more qualifications awarded in more than one country and that includes learning outcomes assessed with reference to standards established by an international body)”.

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In March 2021, a cooperation agreement was signed between IIW (the International Welding Institute) and EWF regarding the IAMQS, in order to be used by IIW Members. Since, both organisations are cooperating in the implementation, promotion and development of the IAMQS and its Qualification Guidelines.

The agreement allows IIW members to benefit from IAMQS and help implement a solid qualification network worldwide.


Q4- Which countries are implementing the IAMQS?

A4 - The IAMQS is represented in France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, United Kingdom, Germany, Türkiye, Malaysia and Japan.

The AM Skills Strategy Roadmap foresees the to expand the network of training centres and national rollout of the IAMQS amongst more EU countries, including EU13.


AM Sector Skills Strategy booklet


Q5- How does the IAMQS interact with the EU institutions?

A5- The system is interacting with EU institutions at different levels as an expert consultant and observer.


IAMQS interaction with EU Institutions is related to the following activities:

  •          Benchmarking of best-practices in terms of skills needs and qualifications development
  •          Providing technological and pedagogical information, specially linked with skills, needs, occupations and AM technological trends
  •          Collaboration in experts' groups as adviser and observers
  •          Regular communication and collaboration with European, national and regional policy makers

Similar interactions take place with National Qualifications Systems. 




AM ANBs

Q1 - What does it mean to be an AM ANB (e.g. scope of activity, geographical coverage, target audience)?

A1- An AM Authorised Nominated Body (AM ANB) is an organisation that has been assessed and authorised by EWF in accordance with EWF rules for the IAMQS, guidelines, requirements and business plan.


AM ANBs scope of activity is linked with the teaching subjects (as Guidelines, Qualification levels or Competence Units) and in a specific approved area, which they are able to supervise, according to their expertise and capabilities. Their target audience is Industry and training bodies.


Q2 – What are the benefits of becoming an AM ANB? 
A2 - The AM Authorised Nominated Bodies (AM ANBs) are the unique organisations authorised by EWF to supervise the implementation of the IAMQS, for an approved scope of activity and in a specific approved area, by carrying out audits to ensure that their Approved Training Bodies (ATBs) are complying with the IAMQS Quality Assurance rules.

Q3- What are my  responsibilities and role as an AM ANB? 

A3- AM ANBs are responsible for supporting the interested AM ATBs to go through the authorization process to deliver IAMQS Qualifications and to assure the link between the AM ATBs, the IAMQS and EWF. 

AM ANBs are ensuring that the standards of implementation of the EWF education, examination, qualification systems are maintained.


AM ANB roles and responsibilities are to:

  •          Promote the use and commercialization of the IAMQS;
  •          Join the International AM Qualification Council (IAMQC)
  •          Implement the AM Qualification System for the education, training, examination and qualification of personnel working with AM technology;
  •          Approve the AM ATBs to conduct the AM courses, in accordance with the IAMQS guidelines;
  •          Conduct the examination and any other assessment required in the qualification process;
  •          Decide on the qualification of AM personnel;

Issue AM Diplomas and/or Record of Achievement.


Q4- Who to approach to become an AM ANB?
A4- Organisations wishing to become an AM ANB, have to reach EWF (www.ewf.be), who is responsible for managing the IAMQS. The contact shall be addressed to the AM System Manager, Pedro Catarino, via email pcatarino@ewf.be.

Q5- Which are the steps to follow to apply and become approved as an AM ANB?

A5- To apply to become an AM ANB, the interested organisation needs to undertake two main steps.


Stage 1: Application Approval Process

  •           Application
  •           Evaluation of its AM capability and know-how by the IAMQC
  •           Assessment of conditions
  •           If the organisation complies with the requirements, the approval process starts

      

Stage 2: Approval of AM ANB

  •           Nomination of the team of auditors by the IAMQC
  •           On-site audit by auditors
  •           If the applicant organisation fails to comply with the requirements of AM Rules or Guidelines, the authorization as AM ANB is not granted
  •           If the applicant organisation complies with the requirements, the AM ANB Certificate of Authorisation is granted 


A set of documents are required to be fulfilled along the application. The AM ANB application form contemplates the following aspects:

  •           Applicant name & address
  •           Legal structure
  •           Scope of authorization sought
  •           Quality manual
  •           Business plan
  •           Declaration of honour
  •          Member society declaration

The AM ANB form is sent via email by the IAMQS Manager. 


Q6- What is the business model and how to define it?
A6 - Is the responsibility of the AM ANB to define and deliver a business plan for the implementation of the IAMQS (and/or EWF systems) in the application phase. It is recommended that approval of AM ATBs is based on a business case analysis to ensure that the AM ATB scope of approval is viable, and quality of delivery is maintained.

Q7 - Who defines the fee for ATBs?
A7- Is the responsibility of the AM ANB to define the fees for the AM ATB. An AM ATB can apply to all existing AM ANBs.

Q8 - Which supports can an AM ANB get from EWF?

A8- EWF is supporting the AM ANBs in updating and implementing the IAMQS and ensure the continuous improvements of the rules and procedures. 


EWF is also supporting networking activities and ensuring cooperation and funding through European Calls for the IAMQS.


Q9 - Is it mandatory for Welding ANBs to become AM ANBs?

A9- It is not mandatory for Welding ANBs to become AM ANBs. Although the Welding ANBs are at an advantage to give continuity to this activity for AM as they are more familiar with the System management and rules. 


The difference between the Welding and AM ANBs, is the scope of activity, as the first are authorized for Welding and the others for AM. 




AM ATBs

Q1- What are the benefits of becoming an AM ATB?

A1 - AM ATBS are in advantage over other training organisations, as they are the only ones that can deliver IAMQS training and are part of a strong cooperation network.


The main advantages in becoming AM ATBs:

  •          Industrial oriented training
  •       Quality Assurance
  • Establishment partnerships for cooperation - AM ATB can easily cooperate with companies to have access AM equipment, as well as with other ATBs to share resources or even complement their scope of training 

Q2- What degree of freedom do I have to provide the training (i.e., language, contents,….)?

A2- The AM ATB has flexibility to decide about the languages and modes of delivery form the AM Courses, as long as the minimum quality standards are met.


The degree of freedom for AM ATBs is related to:

  •       define the training implementation plan, namely the timetable, scheduling and frequency of the sessions 
  •       define the context for the course implementation, either online, face to face or blended;
  •       address more contents than the ones recommended in the training guidelines;
  •       address less contents than the ones recommended, if the reduction (of contact hours) is not higher than 20%;
  •       use and develop the training materials for the courses;
  •       select the resources (e.g., equipment, trainers)
  • implement the training in national language;

Q3 – Can I establish collaboration with other training organisations (Non ATBs) to deliver the AM course?
A3- Yes, it is possible to run IAMQS courses in collaboration or jointly with any other establishment, since only one organisation accepts the overall responsibility for the course. An agreement between the organisations involved is required in order to implement the course, being the agreement of the responsibility of the AM ATB.

Q4- Which are the steps to apply to become an AM ATB?

A4- To apply to become an AM ATB, the interested organisation needs to undertake several steps:


  •           Training centre’s application
  •           Assessment of the application based on conditions, by the AM ANB
  •           Conditions assessment into two stages:
  •           Stage 1 – Documental Review
  •           Stage 2 – Audit to verify the compliance with EWF AM Rules requirements
  •           If the Training CentreCentre fulfils all requirements for delivering training, the authorisation for the specific scope of training is granted

 

Asset of documents are required to be fulfilled along the application.


Q5- Do I have to pay to become an ATB? /Who defines the cost of the course’s delivery?
A5- Yes. The fee for becoming an AM ATB and implement IAMQS guidelines is defined by the AM ANB. The AM ATB can apply to all existing AM ANBs.

Q6- As an ATB do I have any minimum compromise with IAMQS of training per year or similar? What happens if I cannot deliver training for more than 1 year?
A6- The contractual arrangements define the conditions in which the AM ATB has to implement IAMQS. The costs depend on the business Model of the AM ANB.

Q7-As an ATB, do I need to provide the training of a completed Professional Profile or can I also provide it on separate CUs?
A7- The AM ATBs are delivering courses for an approved scope of activity, which can be a full Qualification /Professional Profile or standing alone Competence Units. 






Company

Q1-How do we know that the training is consistent across all providers?
A1-IAMQS is based on tried and tested approach in different countries. Training organisations (AM ATBs) have to be approved by national bodies (AM ANB) and follow harmonized rules on the duration, content, deliver and assessment of participants.

Q2- Duration of the courses seems very long?
A2- Duration of course was set after detailed consultation with industry and training organisations.  

Q3- Can we reduce time for experienced people?
A3-The training courses have recommended hours that are not mandatory. The training centre can do fewer or more hours of training, depending on the knowledge and skills the trainees have in their curriculum. It is under progress by the IAMQS the possibility to gain recognition for prior learning (RPL) enabling participants to reduce the training required. 

Q4- Can people attend individual competence units?
A4- Yes and they will receive a Record of Achievement per each competence unit completed. However, they will only be awarded the overall qualification if they attend and pass all of the required components within a period of 6 years.

Q5- We conduct our own training / have training from another provider, will this be recognised as part of the IAMQS system?

A5- Only approved training bodies (AM ATBs) can guarantee that their courses meet the standard required for awarding a qualification under the IAMQS system.

To recognise your training as part of IAMQS, there must be a collaboration between your company and an AM ANB.

Q6- Are the courses delivered only in English?
A6- No the courses are available in a wide range of languages. 




Trainees

Q1- How to select the right course for me?

How long will it take me to complete the course? Can I stop and restart?

Can I complete the course in the same country and in the same language?

Are the courses delivered online or face to face, or both?

A1- All the information regarding the implementation of the IAMQS Qualifications are detailed in the guidelines and can be clarified with each AM ATB.

Regarding the selection of the right course, you can use the tool “Find your Path” https://skills4am.eu/iamqs.html to find the IAMQS training matching to your interests or to verify the available training offers Qualifications and Competences Units.


Q2- List of ATBs and their designated subjects.
A2- Currently the IAMQS is composed by the network of ATBs approved by current AM ANBs. The list is available in the following link: https://www.ewf.be/sam

Q3- If I am already experienced and knowledgeable in AM, do I have to take all of the courses in my chosen Professional profile? 

A3- This must be analysed by the AM ATB and AM ANB.

It is under progress by the IAMQS the possibility to gain recognition for prior learning (RPL) enabling participants to reduce the training required.

Q4- How do I gain the full qualification if different ATBs teach different subjects in that Professional Profile?
A4- The full qualification is awarded after the completion (attend and pass) of all CUs foreseen in the Qualifications curriculum.  

Q5- If I take one part of the study in one country and another apart in other countries, which location is responsible for ensuring my Diploma?

A5- If a student has Records of Achievement that have been issued by different AM ANBs, the AM ANB responsible for issuing the Diploma shall be the AM ANB responsible for issuing the last Record of Achievement needed for the award of the IAMQS Diploma.

 The AM ANB that issued the Diploma shall verify the validity of all Records of Achievement required for the award of the Diploma. The validity of any Records of Achievements is 6 years counting from the issuing date.

Q6- What is special/different of this course from others?
A6- IAMQS is based on the only harmonised manufacturing system for training, managed by EWF. Also, IAMQS Qualifications are 100% in line with industrial requirements and in compliance with Standardization rules.



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