In January, the IIW Winter Meetings took place in Genoa, Italy, at the IIW headquarters.

During this significant gathering, the European Federation for Welding, Joining and Cutting (EWF) took the opportunity to disseminate information and exchange insights on several ongoing projects aimed at harmonising and modernising training and qualifications within the manufacturing industry.

Addressing Emerging Industry Needs
• The DILAPRO project was a key part of this joint effort, showcased as a strategic initiative to address the evolving requirements of the sector, particularly in the fields of Welding and Additive Manufacturing.

The presentation focused on how the project contributed to:
• Harmonised Qualification Frameworks: Aligning European and international standards to ensure a consistent level of expertise.
• Bridge between Training and Production: Ensuring that educational content remained closely aligned with real-world, high-tech production environments.
• Digitalisation and Innovation: Integrating emerging manufacturing technologies and digital tools into the professional qualification path.

Strengthening Global Competitiveness:
The strong engagement observed during the meetings in Genoa reinforced the vital importance of collaboration between industry leaders, training providers, and Authorised Nominated Bodies (ANBs). It was highlighted that only through such joint efforts could qualification systems remain relevant and resilient against future sector challenges.

The continued commitment to the DILAPRO project demonstrated a clear focus on strengthening the quality, competitiveness, and workforce resilience of the manufacturing industry on a global scale.