PROFILE OF THE WTIA
This membership-based organisation was formed in 1989 by the amalgamation of the Australian Welding Institute (Founded in 1929) and the Australian Welding Research Association (Founded in 1964). It has over 350 company members and 1,400 individual members whose annual subscriptions provide a significant portion of the operating costs of the organisation. The WTIA is a Core Partner of the Cooperative Research Centre for Welded Structures, with responsibility for all technology transfer. As such it organises Technology Forums such as conferences and seminars, training courses, technical publications including the Australasian Welding Journal and Welding Research Supplement, exhibitions and promotion via the WTIA's World Welding Window Internet site.

THE WTIA BUSINESS PLAN
In 1995 the WTIA undertook a strategic planning exercise with the input of 55 individuals from 26 different industry organisations. The resultant business plan was launched in 1996. It consists of achieving six objectives by the end of the year 2000 by fulfilling 37 key strategies, in order to satisfy the WTIA goal "To assist Australian industry to become locally and globally competitive in welding-related activities". Welding covers the Total Life Cycle of Welded Products/Structures from design, manufacture, operation and life extension to decommissioning.

WTIA TECHNICAL PANELS
The WTIA coordinates ten Technical Panels involving 280 industry representatives, researchers and experts in a range of welding-related areas. These are expert groups with the aim of providing a forum for industry and research to meet, transfer technology, discuss issues and formulate appropriate research projects. The Panels meet regularly throughout the year, and are instrumental in the establishment of research projects through the Cooperative Research Centre for Welded Structures, the publishing of technical guidelines, and the development of expert technology tools.

THE OZWELD PROJECT
In 1998, the WTIA established the very successful OzWeld Technology Support Centres (TSCs) Network consisting of 29 local TSCs and 5 overseas TSCs, including other Core Partners of the CRC-WS. Outstanding industry support for the Project has been matched by a Federal Government grant through DISR, and support from each State Government, amounting to funding of $3.5m and in-kind support of similar magnitude over three years. The OzWeld Network provides, amongst others, 5 key activities that are all aimed at improving the viability and sustainability of Australian industries utilising welding and related technologies. These are:

• Provision of Technical Information and Advice Transfer of Technology Applied Research and Development Related Training
• Technical Problem Solving

The Network has been expanded to cover the Total Life Cycle of Welded Products/Structures covering design, manufacturing, operation, life extension and decommissioning.As part of the OzWeld Network, WTIA has a full time staff of 19 of whom 11 are engineers or technologists. Six are State Technology Managers (STMs), a National Hotline Engineer, National Technology Advisor, Technology Transfer Coordinator, Manager Technical Panels, two consultants and the Executive Director who also acts as Network Manager. The STMs play a major role in the Network.

SMART INDUSTRY GROUPS
A major initiative of the project is the creation of SMART Industry Groups. These working groups are specific to particular industries, and provide a forum where the major players in that industry can work together on shared solutions for common problems. The SMART Groups are expected to enhance a major part of Australia's key industries through cooperative sharing and access to the latest technologies, information and workplace best practices. Some of the expected outcomes of this cooperation are:

• Optimum solutions to problems can be achieved quickly and economically; Best know how and skill can be used; Excessive duplication of effort can be avoided; Cooperative investigations and R&D can be used to cover the needs of many;
• Links to and from overseas partners in the network will be strengthened.

SMART Groups are operating for the Petro/chemical, Power Generation and Pipeline industries, and will be soon available in other industry sectors. Companies wishing to become involved in these groups, or would like to promote a SMART Group in another industry area are encouraged to contact the WTIA.

QUALIFICATION AND CERTIFICATION
WTIA is presently preparing to be audited by the International Institute of Welding (IIW) to become the Authorised National Body (ANB) for the administration of the International Education, Training and Qualification Program for welding personnel. The scheme was officially launched in July 1997.Two Universities and 36 TAFEs will be assisted and accredited by WTIA to train internationally qualified Welding Engineers, Technologists, Specialists, Practitioners, Welders and Inspectors to meet industry needs.At recent IIW meetings, access conditions and transitional arrangements leading to recognition of Australian qualifications for the International Welding Engineer, Technologist, Specialist and Practitioner qualifications were agreed. Personnel currently qualified within Australia are listed on the WTIA Internet site.

The WTIA has successfully worked as Secretariat for the Australian Institute for the Certification of Inspection Personnel since its establishment in 1997. The Institute is also responsible for the certification of Welding/Fabrication Inspectors, Welding Supervisors to AS 1796 and AS 2214, as well as Welders to AS 1796. All of these certified personnel are listed on the Internet site.

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