The Southern African Institute of Welding (SAIW) will launch its new Prospectus application (app) for Android and iOS operating systems ahead of 2021’s student registrations.

“Prospectus, as the name implies, is a comprehensive guide to all the courses on offer by the SAIW,” says SAIW executive director John Tarboton.

The app, which is being developed in collaboration with website and app developers AltonSA, is due for release next month, when it will be available in the app stores.

The course information that will be available on the Prospectus app includes practical welder training, welding coordinator courses, welding inspectors, competent persons training and a list of other courses on offer.

The SAIW is aware that students found it daunting to navigate through the printed version of the 100-page prospectus currently in use.

Subsequently the printed version of the prospectus will no longer be available; however, its digital versions will be made available through the app and on the SAIW website, explains Tarboton.

“Therefore, the SAIW hopes that the app will be easier to interpret and will subsequently better inform prospective students about what courses are on offer through SAIW,” he adds.

The app will also provide information about the career options for welders.

“A welder might start on a manufacturing floor, after which he or she has the option to progress to testing and certification inspector, for example,” he explains.

The SAIW Course Prospectus for 2020 explains that, owing to the diversity of welding-related projects in South Africa, there is flexibility to switch industries without students having to change their career option.

Therefore, the Prospectus app will enable a graduate to supply already attained qualification details and then determine a career path for the welder based on that information, enthuses Tarboton.

He points out that this will help those already in the field who are unsure or unaware of the career prospects available to them.