Advanced Manufacturing is often associated with robotisation, digitisation and AI. But behind all that technology, one crucial constant remains: craftsmanship. Enter VCL vzw, the Welding Training Centre. For 50 years, they have been offering training courses for employed welders in line with new assignments and techniques.
“What the outside world often fails to realise,” says Managing Director Leen Dezillie, “is that there is no such thing as the perfect welder. Welding is an extremely broad field, involving different techniques, materials and degrees of difficulty, as well as constantly tightening national and international standards and regulations. There is a place on the labour market for every level, and that labour market really needs those people. We provide support in training and further education to meet these needs.”
Non-profit organisation supported by industry
VCL was founded in 1976. Even then, welding was a bottleneck profession that needed to be addressed for two reasons: if companies cannot find properly trained welders, they cannot produce. On the other hand, the field is so broad that it is impossible for young people to graduate as fully-fledged welders and they must continue to broaden and deepen their skills.
An independent non-profit organisation was established with start-up capital from both employers (the former Fabrimetal, now Agoria) and trade unions (ACV-CSC and ABVV-FGTB). Today, fifty years later, VCL is still completely self-sufficient, without any structural subsidies. “We do not receive any government support,” Leen emphasises. “But we are hugely supported by the sectors. Organisations such as MTECH+, Embuild, Volta, Alimento, Educam and Covalent support companies that follow training courses with us through their sector funds. In this way, they invest specifically in strengthening technical competencies within their support base.
Tailor-made training for everyone
VCL’s mission is therefore clear: to support Belgian industry in the field of welding. “In concrete terms, this means practical training tailored to companies, often short and targeted, tailored to specific standards or new techniques,” explains Leen. “Last year, we qualified around 1,300 people in the metal sector and more than 1,000 in PE pipes.”
They do this for major players such as Spie, Anglo Belgian Corporation, Infrabel, Sabena Engineering and Equans, but also for sole traders. “Large companies often have internal welding engineers who know exactly what the standards require. The questions from these larger companies are clear and precise; for them, our flexibility and service are what count. With smaller companies, we put more energy into guidance and determining their certification needs within specific projects and assignments. They do have specifications, but sometimes they don’t know what that means in concrete terms for their welders. We make that translation as part of our service.
The gap between education and the workplace
An important point of attention remains the connection between education and the labour market. “There is a lot of talent in our schools. But young people do not always graduate with the right (international) certificates or skills,” says Leen. “Without that ‘ticket’, we lose them to other sectors. They are more likely to choose a job where they can earn money straight away than additional training, which they usually have to finance themselves.”
That is precisely why VCL is working with sector funds on projects that enable young people to graduate with a certificate. Initiatives such as ‘Brabant last, iedereen wint’ (Brabant lasts, everyone wins) or ‘Buitengewoon Lassen’ (Extraordinary Welding, aimed at young people in special education) also show that the pool is larger than expected.
”It is not the case that only the very best welders find work. The welding field is so versatile. From aluminium welding in specialised production to site welding on Fluvius gas pipes, each task requires different skills. In cleanrooms at Sabena or in ship repairs in Antwerp, we are also talking about completely different profiles. But they are all desperately needed.”
Dual learning plays a crucial role in this. Young people who combine workplace learning with education are more likely to graduate with a certificate and work experience. “This greatly increases their chances and often leads to permanent employment with the company.”
Welding in a world of robots and AI
Although VCL focuses primarily on manual welding, the centre is not isolated from technological developments. On the contrary. “Robotic welding and automation are on the rise, but that does not mean that manual welders will disappear,” Leen clarifies. “Many applications will always require craftsmanship. What’s more, even a robot or AI programme needs to be set up correctly. If the preparation isn’t perfect, errors will occur. And then you need expertise again.”
VCL even sees new training needs arising from this evolution. For example, they train welders to detect and repair errors in automated processes. “AI and automation still require human knowledge. You have to be able to understand, interpret and adjust systems.”
In addition, the demand for multiskilling is growing. Companies want to teach their maintenance technicians basic welding skills so that they can carry out minor repairs that do not require inspection themselves. “We recently had a crematorium visit us. Their maintenance team wanted to carry out minor repairs themselves. The same story at the Muntschouwburg theatre. With a targeted week-long training course, they can get to work safely and with confidence.”
Working together for a wonderful profession
At Advanced Manufacturing, VCL is clustered with MTECH+ and supports initiatives such as the Steel Warriors. “For us, the trade fair is primarily a meeting place. After fifty years, many companies know us, but such a trade fair is the ideal moment to sit down together: are we already doing everything possible? Can we collaborate more intelligently financially? Are we discovering new developments that we need to respond to?”
VCL is organising various lectures in collaboration with the Belgian Institute for Welding Technology (BIL). Leen himself will speak about certification tests: what do standards actually entail and when are they mandatory? Other sessions will cover topics such as semi-automatic welding and corrosion.
“Above all, we want to convey the message that welding has a future. That it is a technical, challenging and versatile profession. And that lifelong learning is essential. Companies must therefore work more closely with schools and training centres. Invest in internships, dual learning and certification. Don’t wait until someone is perfectly employable, but work together to build skills. See how much talent there is, including among lateral entrants or young people from less obvious backgrounds. It is a wonderful technical profession with enormous social value,” concludes Leen.
