WELDING AND JOINING TECHNOLOGY SUPPORT CENTRES
NETWORK FOR AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY

OzWeld is an Australian industry support network involving key industrial and technological organisations, both within Australia and overseas, with expertise in welding, joining, testing and related activities.

With the help of a Federal Government grant and support from industry and State and Territory Governments, the WTIA launched the WTIA National Diffusion Networks Project (NDNP) incorporating thirteen Industry Sectoral Projects (ISPs).

The Projects involve the implementation of a structured welding and joining technology demonstration and improvement program in the Rail, Road Transport, Water, Pressure Equipment, Building & Construction, Mining, Defence, Medical Devices & Sensors, Power Generation, Petro/Chemical, Gas Pipelines, Alumina Processing and Inspection & Testing sectors over three years. The sectoral strategy involves the WTIA working directly with leading Australian firms, SMEs, supply chains and technology specialists in the OzWeld Technology Support Centres (TSCs).

The NDNP acts as an umbrella encompassing the two other projects, the OzWeld Technology Support Centres Network and the SMART TechNet Project for which we previously received substantial Federal Government, State and Territory Government and industry funding.

The WTIA SMART TechNet Project aims to promote improvements in Australian industry through optimum use of Technology by:

	covering the total life cycle of welded products/structures i.e. a holistic approach to avoid critical gaps in technology and practice.
	utilising new industry sectors (SMART Groups) to help identify problems and industry, Federal, State, Territory and Regional needs, to prioritise these needs, and to provide support, guidance and information for optimum solutions.
	using new Technology Expert Groups, interfacing at company/on site level, who will extract and consolidate local and global knowledge (from R&D, practice, and experience) into a form, which is available and diffusible to industry through 'Expert Technology Tools' . This is currently a major priority particularly for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
	absorbing and improving the current successful WTIA OzWeld Technology Support Centres Network by expansion with overseas and other centres for latest information and by utilising training centres, at company and SME level to assist in its efficient diffusion and application.

The OzWeld TSC Network continues to support solutions to meet the needs of industry and has been expanded to 35 local and 20 overseas TSCs, all contributing appropriate and leading-edge technologies to assist all industry sectors.

For further information about the Project or a full listing of members of the WTIA National Diffusion Networks Project, SMART TechNet Project and OzWeld Technology Support Centres Network please contact the WTIA Tel: +61 (0)2 9748 4443, Fax: +61 (0)2 9748 2858 email info@wtia.com.au

Major benefits from this Project are overall improvement and competitiveness of Australian industry through the use of latest proven technology, economically diffused by a greatly improved network, as well as improved and expanded services to sponsor companies. The Project is believed to be the major practical strategy for rapid improvement of our "welding" businesses.

The Project has been sponsored by industry throughout Australia, State Governments, and the Federal Government through the Department of Industry, Tourism and Resources, AusIndustry and Innovation Access Program (IACCP) - Industry.

State Governments currently sponsoring the Project include:

	Department of State and Regional Development (NSW)
	Department of Innovation, Industry and Regional Development (VIC)
	Department of Industry and Resources (WA)
	Department of Business, Economic and Regional Development (NT)
	Department of State Development, Trade and Innovation (QLD)
	Department of Trade and Economic Development (SA)

The National Diffusion Networks Project, OzWeld Technology Support Centres Network and the SMART TechNet Project are coordinated by the Welding Technology Institute of Australia (WTIA) whose goal is to assist Australian industry to become locally and globally competitive in welding-related activities.

The WTIA has qualified staff in each mainland state of Australia who can assist industry in all areas of welding and joining technologies, quality assurance and qualification.

OzWeld Home | Visitors Book | Services /Products | The Network | Sponsors | Technology Support Centres | Capabilities
  What's On? | SMART Industry Programs | Contact | State Technology Managers | Welding Management System