The NIW-ANB scope of Authorization

The International Institute of Welding (IIW) Rules establish the mechanism by which the IIW Guidelines for the Education, Training, Examination, Qualification, and/or Certification of Welding Personnel are implemented, such that the requirements are applied uniformly by all countries involved, and that the diplomas granted are mutually recognised in every IAB member country, with no geographic restriction.

This is done by nominating one organisation in each country for a specific scope through the Responsible Member Society (RMS) to act for IIW, and these organisations are assessed and monitored in compliance with the Rules.

Such an organisations is known as the IIW Authorised Nominated Body (ANB) and is responsible for ensuring that the guidelines for education, training, examination, qualification and where appropriate, personnel certification are implemented correctly. In this, the objective is that IIW qualified personnel at a certain level will have achieved the same minimum level of knowledge and skill, irrespective where in the world they had been qualified. Diplomas awarded by IIW ANBs under these Rules are widely recognised world-wide, with no geographic restriction.

An ANB is authorised for a specific scope of operation with respect to the qualification level, the offered routes, the method of teaching/learning, conduct examinations, decisions regarding the issue of diplomas, approval of ATBs and language fluency.

 

The scope of operation of the NIW-ANB is:

International Welder (IW)

Developed by the IIW to achieve harmonization in the training, examination and qualification of welders globally. The International Welder diploma holder combines comprehensive theory and high-end practical skills and is categorized at three different progressive levels i.e. fillet, plate and pipe welder.

International Welding Practitioner (IWP)

A candidate awarded the IWP diploma after examination is expected to have basic knowledge and understanding of welding technology application to address common and regular welding challenges. He/She is expected to have been adequately equipped with competence and skills to supervise and develop solutions to basic welding application operations and related activities.

International Welding Specialist (IWS)

A candidate awarded the IWS diploma after examination is expected to have specialized knowledge and understanding of welding technology application to address common and regular welding challenges. He / she is expected to have been adequately equipped with competence and skills to supervise the application of standards in welding application and related activities.

International Welding Technologist (IWT)

A candidate awarded the IWT diploma after examination is expected to have acquired overall knowledge and critical understanding of welding technology application. He/She is expected to be adequately equipped with knowledge and skills at a level that is required in the field of welding technology to address low level complex welding technology challenges.

International Welding Engineer (IWE)

A candidate awarded the IWE diploma after examination is expected to have advanced knowledge and critical understanding of welding technology application. He/She is expected to be adequately equipped with advanced competence and skills at a level that is required in the field of welding technology to demonstrate mastery and innovative abilities in the application of welding technology.

International Welding Inspector (IWIP)

A candidate awarded the IWIP either Basic, Standard or Comprehensive is expected that he/she has been developed and equipped with the competency and skills with a critical focus to address welding inspection responsibilities. The inspector is frequently responsible for producing documents that ensure traceability of the components and related fabricating action.

Access Conditions

The NIW-ANB has IIW approved Access Conditions in regards to qualification, conditions documented in the Access Conditions Directory, document IAB020 (latest revision).

The following Nigeria access conditions apply to the International Welding Engineer:
  • Path 1 and 2 Personnel with Bachelors’ degree (at the level of university with at least 5 years of studies) in relevant engineering discipline,
  • the Diploma must be recognized by the Ministry of High Education.

Or 

  • For personnel with HND Diploma (at the level of university with at least 3 years of studies) degree in relevant engineering discipline,
  • the Diploma must be recognized by the national board for technical education.

The following Nigeria access conditions apply to the International Welding Technologist:

  For Path 1 and 2

  • Option 1personnel with an HND in a relevant engineering accredited by the national board for technical education

or

  • Option 2: personnel with a HND in sciences (Chemistry, Physics, etc) accredited by the national board for technical education

or

  • Option 3: personnel with a NSQ Level 5 in related craft accredited by the national board for technical education

or

  • Option 4: personnel who have acquired a National Diploma (with at least two years of studies) in relevant engineering discipline

The following Nigeria  access conditions apply to the International Welding Inspector-C:

  • IWT diploma or evidence of satisfying the access conditions for IWT or higher.
  • A curriculum vitae (CV)/resume containing the following professional information:
  • Evidence of at least three years job function in welding and inspection at the Comprehensive level (in a period of 4 years before application)
  • A justification of the candidate’s experience, training, and education to become IWI-C (may include other test results)

The following Nigeria  access conditions apply to the International Welding Inspector-S:

  • IWS diploma or evidence of satisfying the access conditions for IWS or higher.
  • A curriculum vitae (CV)/resume containing the following professional information:
  • Evidence of at least two years job function in welding and inspection at the Standard level (in a period of 3 years before application)
  • A justification of the candidate’s experience, training, and education to become IWI-S (may include other test results)

The following Nigeria  access conditions apply to the International Welding Inspector-B

  • IWP diploma or evidence of satisfying the access conditions defined for the IWI-B for Route 1 or higher.
  • A curriculum vitae (CV)/resume containing professional information:
  • Evidence that the candidate was working in welding and inspection at the Basic level during the last two years before application;
  • A justification of the candidate’s experience, training, and education to become IWI-B (may include other test results).

The NIW ANB determines, by paper check, if the application is suitable for further detailed assessment.

Recognition of NDT certification

Those having certification in NDT in accordance with ISO 9712, or equivalent recognized by the NIW-ANB may be granted exemption from the NDT parts of the modules for Welding Inspection on a method-by-method basis, but not from the final examination. The approval of such arrangements is at the discretion of the ANB.

It is recommended that exemption for NDT Level 2 or 3 Certifications should apply to Modules WI-S and C; exemptions for NDT Level 1 certifications should apply to Module WI-B.

The following Nigeria  access conditions apply to the International Welding Specialist:

For Path 1 and 2: 

  • Candidates must fulfil the IWS access requirements defined on the Guideline, plus Have passed through vocational secondary school in relevant engineering discipline.

Or

  • Have passed through secondary school with plus more 3 years of metal working experience, in total 5 years

The following Nigeria  standard access conditions are applicable to the International Welding Practitioner IWP

In order to enter the International Welding Practitioner course, participants are required to be skilled in practical welding and to have had experience as a welder in industry.  The course is intended to build theoretical knowledge and practical welding skills.

In case of co-operation arrangements, e.g. with technical colleges, according to which the IWP Part 1 of the curriculum structure (see Section I) is presented under careful control of the ANB, the participant is allowed to enter the IWP course through the Route 2 (see item 2.1 and the diagram 4 below).

 

Applicants are required to

  • Hold a valid pipe welder qualification certificate in accordance with ISO 9606-1/-2 H-L045 ss nb or J-LO45 ss nb or the combination PC and PH ss nb in the same material group;

Or

  • Hold a valid plate welder qualification certificate in accordance with ISO 9606-1 for the conditions PE ss nb or PC and PF ss nb, or in accordance with ISO 9606-2 for the conditions PE bs or PC and PF bs;

Or

  • Hold an alternative national welder qualification with the same range of qualification as that in 1 or 2 above;

And

  • Have, a recommended minimum of, 2 years job-related experience as plate or pipe welder.

 

The following Nigeria  access conditions apply to the International Welder:

Applicants must possess sufficient knowledge of, or education in, metalworking to follow the course. They must also have a level of health, and physical and mental capability, to undergo the training for which they are applying. 

 

Successful completion of one module qualifies for participation in the next module. With existing knowledge and proven skill, the program may be entered at a higher level, provided that the candidate demonstrates a capability (practically and theoretically) to meet the entry requirements as described below.