Training Services

Aluminothermic Welders

We are fully approved by Network Rail to deliver courses in all currently approved aluminothermic welding processes and in visual weld inspection. Our training team include TWI/CSWITO certificated instructors, qualified lead assessors and verifiers.

We have two Network Rail approved Training facilities; in addition to which, workplace competency assessments may be undertaken at site. Our facilities have been assessed by IoRW and are compliant with the requirements of Network Rail Specification NR/SP/CTM/005 and 006.

All aluminothermic welders working on a railway infrastructure must have attended an approved training course at an approved training centre, and hold valid Certificates of Competence.

There are currently 5 stages to becoming a fully approved welder on Network Rail infrastructure.

Stage 1	Initial training as a trainee welder out of track
Stage 2	Minimum of 6 months working with an experienced welder
Stage 3	Out of track training as a welder - provided at an approved training facility
Stage 4	Mentoring for a further period by an experienced welder
Stage 5	Workplace Assessment as fully competent welder

Skill	Course & Skill Ref		Eligibility	Location	Duration (Days)	Permit Validity
	TW	NCCA				(months)
Trainee, Assistant	New Entrants - Subject to sponsorship by employer
Initial Training	TWT		New Trainees	Out of Track	15	24
Competence				Workplace	1	12
RETEST	TTC 15		Trainee, Assistant	Out of Track	1-2*	24
Welder	Minimum six months workplace experience as trainee or assistant - on recommendation by mentor/employer
Initial Training	TWT	TW 1,2,3	Competent Assistant	Out of Track	20	24
Competence			Trained Welder	Workplace	1	12
RETEST	TTC 15		Trained Welder	Out of Track	2-3*	24
Supplementary	For welders requiring supplementary skills for specific applications
Flame Cutting of Rails	OG1		All Trainees	Out of Track	5	24
Wide Gap (L80)	TTC09	TW3	Hold TW 1,2	Out of Track	2	24
Wide Gap Composite	TTC19	TW4	Hold TW 1,2,3	Out of Track	2	24
SkV-F 3 Piece	TTC17	TW5	Trained Welder	Out of Track	2	24
Competence			Trained Welder	Workplace	1	12
RETEST	TTC15		Trained Welder	Out of Track	2-3*	24

Download the current 2008 Course Prospectus [79Kb PDF]

Certification and Permits

All staff employed to work on Network Rail infrastructure, as either trainee welders or welders must be in possession of valid NCCA/Sentinel welding permits. NCCA registration, if required, will be processed as part of our training procedure. The current Sentinel registered skills are:

NCCA Code	Skill	Process	Rail Profile			Comment
			Profile	Grade	Wear
TW 1	Thermit	SkV	All	All	New, Similar	0/P or O/A preheat
TW 2	Welding	SkV	All	All	New, Similar, Dissimilar
TW 3		SkV-L	All	All	See Operating Manual	o/p preheat only
TW 4		SkV-L	All	All	Composite	o/p preheat only
TW 5		Special	Special applications - SkV-slabtrack,CRW,SoWoS
WI 1	Weld		Visual inspection - aluminothermic welds
WI 2	Inspection		Visual Inspection – Flash Butt welds
WI 3			Visual Inspection – Electric Arc Welds

Specialist Training

For specialized welding applications such as welding heavy section crane rails, special sites, or overseas projects deploying local contractors we formulate special training courses which can include on-site support, with all the associated welding procedures, training records, and permits.

Weld Inspectors

We provide training for visual inspection of aluminothermic welds to the requirements of Network Rail. The training course, which takes 2 days, includes tutorial and practical sessions followed by a written and practical examination. This training course has been established in collaboration with Network Rail and First Engineering, and will be adopted as the UK standard for weld inspection.

Verse Operators

Our track technology team includes two lead assessors who provide initial training and bi-annual competency assessments for VERSE operators. The service is compliant with the Network Rail Specification NR/SP/CTM/005. The course combines an initial classroom based session followed by on- site practical training and assessment. The course is normally structured around 4 trainees, who must provide their own VERSE equipment. The equipment is checked before use and calibrated if required.

Certification and Permits

Currently VERSE operator skills are not incorporated into the Sentinel system. Therefore, on successful completion of the course, operators are issued with a TW permit, normally valid for a period of 2 years. It is recommended that an annual workplace competence assessment is also made.