27 Jan 2026
University West is responding to the industry’s growing need for welding expertise with a new commissioned training programme leading to the certifications International Welding Engineer (IWE) or International Welding Technologist (IWT).
“We look forward to educating more welding engineers and welding technologists to strengthen the competitiveness of industry,” says Paul Kah, Professor of Welding Technology at University West.
The demand for welding engineers and welding technologists is high. As products and processes become more complex, welding companies need to invest more in employee skills development to ensure quality and competitiveness.
“There are too few welding engineers in Sweden today. We want to help increase the number of IWE/IWT-qualified professionals on the labour market. The certification opens up new opportunities for both companies and their employees,” says Paul Kah, who is responsible for the programme.
“The programme provides broad expert competence in welding coordination and quality assurance that meets the requirements of ISO 3834 and ISO 14731. Companies can optimize their production and thereby save time and costs,” says Paul Kah.
Until now, the programme has only been offered by KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, but from this autumn it will also be available at University West in Trollhättan.
“A large part of Sweden’s manufacturing industry is located in the southern and western parts of the country. Our geographical location, just north of Gothenburg, can therefore help make the programme more accessible to more companies.”
University West has long-standing experience in research and education in welding technology and welding-based additive manufacturing. The welding research group is the largest in the Nordic region, and a significant part of the research is carried out in collaboration with industrial companies at the Production Technology Centre in Trollhättan. The centre is equipped with facilities and demonstrators for both traditional welding techniques and advanced welding processes such as additive manufacturing, arc welding, laser welding and friction stir welding.
“The programme includes 60 hours of laboratory exercises in two well-equipped lab environments in Trollhättan. Participants will carry out practical welding tasks and take part in demonstrations of advanced welding processes. Guest lecturers from industry will participate in almost all courses.”
The commissioned training programme is available to professionals and is taught in English, as many industrial companies operate on the international market. The programme is delivered in close collaboration with Svetskommissionen and follows the international framework developed by the International Institute of Welding (IIW).
- The programme is offered as commissioned education, meaning it is ordered and funded by employers.
- One-year programme taught in English and delivered together with students from the Master’s Programme in International Welding Engineering at University West.
- Theory is combined with practical elements in laboratory environments.
- Study load: 24 hours/week. A flexible structure enables studies alongside work.
- Programme start: 1 September 2026.
- Application deadline: 30 April 2026.
More information & application
Contact: Paul Kah, responsible for the programme, University West or email to uppdragsutbildning@hv.se.
Updated: 2026-01-27