Geoff Crittenden

On 16 September, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that Australia would no longer proceed with the Attack Class conventional submarine program to be built by Naval Group. Instead, Australia is set to build at least eight nuclear-powered submarines after striking a trilateral security agreement with the US and the UK.    

“We need to get the gas from under our feet.” So said Prime Minister Scott Morrison during a speech in late January, emphasising his plans for a “gas-led recovery” following the COVID-19 pandemic. Morrison has committed a whopping $6 billion to the development of gas in Australia, in an economic strategy that is entirely contrary … Continue reading A gas-led recovery will not work →

The trade of welding conjures up images of dirty, dark workshops full to the brim with traditional tools and machinery prone to throwing off sparks and fumes. But, with the advent of automation, robots, co-bots and a range of other advanced welding technologies, this perception is becoming more and more outdated. Welding is a far … Continue reading Welding 4.0: The future of industry →

Following the comments by the NSW Premier and Minister for Transport about the quality of local train manufacturing, CEO of Weld Australia, Geoff Crittenden has responded to say that there is the potential for thousands of jobs to be created in Australia and to support the country’s economic recovery from COVID-19 if trains are manufactured … Continue reading Weld Australia CEO urges focus on local manufacturing following NSW Premier’s comments on train manufacturing →

Mental health issues, like depression and anxiety, are incredibly common in Australia. In fact, Australia has the second highest prevalence of depressive disorders globally. Approximately 15 per cent of Australians will experience depression in their lifetime, and another 26 per cent will experience an anxiety condition. While men are less likely than females to experience … Continue reading The impact of COVID-19 unemployment on tradies’ mental health – It’s OK not to be OK →

Weld Australia’s mission is to facilitate the growth of a world-class welding industry in Australia. For this reason, we strongly support the Advanced Robotics Manufacturing (ARM) Hub, which is due to open in Brisbane in the coming months. A not-for-profit company, the ARM Hub has the potential to be a catalyst for Australia’s uptake of … Continue reading A way towards the future for welding: robotics →

Australia has a long, proud history of manufacturing throughout the 20th century. With the federation of Australia in 1901, customs barriers were eliminated between the states, so they could more easily trade with another. This saw the first wave of manufacturing expansion, particularly in Victoria and New South Wales. By 1913, manufacturing employment totalled at … Continue reading The demise of Australian manufacturing →

Weld Australia has taken responsibility for maintaining Australian Standards and managing the adoption of International Standards related to welding. The purpose of both Australian and International Standards is to ensure that welded structures are safe. Standards have been developed, reviewed and revised over many years by volunteer engineers and tradesmen who are enormously experienced in … Continue reading Australian Standards: Ensuring welded structures and the general public are safe →

Welding is one of the most ubiquitous processes on the planet. It is fundamental to the construction of bridges, high-rise buildings, mining equipment, ships, and even household appliances, such as fridges and washing machines. Next time you’re driving down the road, take a look around you – crash barriers, light poles, road signs, the re-bar … Continue reading The essential nature of welding →

Safety is a critical consideration for any welding project. Welding is a safe occupation when proper precautions are taken. But, if safety measures are ignored, welders and members of the general public face hazards that can be potentially dangerous, such as the inhalation of fumes and airborne contaminants. In recent times, concerns around airborne contaminants … Continue reading Fume minimisation guidelines released →

Geoff Crittenden, CEO of Weld Australia, outlines how manufacturers should see codes and compliance in a positive light. In late October, the New South Wales state government introduced the Design and Building Practitioners Bill 2019 to parliament. If passed, this Bill will see much-needed and long- anticipated reforms made to the state’s building industry. The … Continue reading Focus on compliance a benefit to manufacturers →

A new paradigm for training cuts time and costs. Weld Australia explains. In the digital era, disruptive technologies have started to play a key role in education and training. Increasingly, old-school techniques are being complemented by innovative methods that rely on augmented and virtual reality systems. Augmented and virtual reality training systems are student-focussed, allowing … Continue reading Augmented and virtual reality training: The next wave of digital disruption →

Safety is a critical consideration for any welding project. Geoff Crittenden, CEO of Weld Australia, explains how recent events have led to new safety measures in welding. Welding is a safe occupation when proper precautions are taken. But, if safety measures are ignored, welders and members of the general public face hazards that can be … Continue reading Ensuring safety and updating standards →

Weld Australia has signed an agreement to develop a national shipbuilding welding education and training competency framework, with the Naval Shipbuilding College. With welding required for major projects such as the $90 billion continuous Naval Shipbuilding Program, and Australia facing a shortage of qualified and certified welders, the framework would establish standards and commonality in … Continue reading Partnership signed to prepare workforce for naval shipbuilding →

During a day of robust discussion, delegates, speakers, and panellists came to grips with the skills crisis confronting the Australian manufacturing industry, and what can be done to overcome this. Manufacturers’ Monthly reports. Setting out the question that would go on to frame the skills discussion at the National Manufacturing Summit, Gayle Tierney, Victorian Minister … Continue reading Preparing the workforce for the skills of the future →

Geoff Crittenden, CEO of Weld Australia, explains what it will take for Australia to successfully deliver its major shipbuilding project. I recently visited two BAE Systems shipyards in Glasgow, Scotland: Govan Shipyard, and Scotstoun Shipyard. It is here that BAE Systems is building the eight Type 26 Frigates ordered by the Royal Navy. The “First … Continue reading Building an internationally competitive shipbuilding sovereign capability →

AS/NZS ISO 3834 Quality requirements for fusion welding of metallic materials is a factory production control system, drafted to complement – rather than replace – quality management systems, such as ISO 9001, writes Geoff Crittenden, CEO of Weld Australia. As a factory production control system, certification to AS/NZS ISO 3834 helps businesses operate more efficiently, … Continue reading The importance of Certification to AS/NZS ISO 3834 →

There appears to be a lack of understanding within the fabrication industry about the rationale for introducing ISO 9606 Qualification testing of welders – Fusion welding into Australia and, more broadly, the need for ISO Standards. As such, I thought I would take this opportunity to explain it. I would like to begin with a … Continue reading The rationale behind the introduction of ISO 9606-1 Qualification testing of welders – Fusion welding – Part 1: Steels →

Weld Australia CEO Geoff Crittenden discusses the role welding plays in public safety.  The lack of regulation covering steel manufacturing, fabrication, and erection is a national disgrace that has reduced our industry to the lowest common denominator: cost. In a misguided commercial experiment, Australia eradicated the regulations that mandated compliance to Australian Standards. The aim … Continue reading Weld Australia: Welding compliance is an issue of public safety →