Car Craft Accident Repair Centres are proud to be associated with I-Car, and all Car Craft members are required to be certified I-Car Gold.
I-Car provides technical training post qualification to the Smash Repair industry. They train and certify in many facets of the trade and are considered the leading provider worldwide.
The I-CAR Steel Welding Certification program is one of those facets and has been delivered in its current format for eight years. More than 1000 technicians have attempted the certification, with a success rate of 88 percent for the years the certification program has been in place.
Recent improvements to the program resulted in a pass rate at more than 95 percent.
This significantly improves a technician’s ability to produce safe and quality welds to vehicles requiring welded structural repairs. I-CAR Australia believes the level can be raised further and will introduce several key improvements to their program.
Many OEMs internationally are now utilising the I-CAR welding program as their approved certification program, as it provides a specification that is accepted by the industry and its stakeholders.
As a result, I-CAR internationally is moving to bring the program further in line with OEM requirements. Currently, the I-CAR Welding Certification period is for five years, and many OEMs require recertification in their respective welding accreditations in a shorter time period.
As of January 1, 2019, the recertification for I-CAR steel welding was changed to every three years and for I-CAR aluminium welding, every two years. This brings both programs in line with most OEM standard recertification programs.
I-CAR now provides a distinct learning pathway, beginning with a separate virtual training class outlining MIG/MAG welding machines, setup, maintenance, and an overview of welding techniques. This is followed by a hands-on welding qualification preparation course that will require the technician to set a machine, practice welds and understand how to visually inspect and destructively test welds before attempting the steel certification. This course will now fall into the Hands-on Skills training stream.
On successfully completing the hands-on skills lesson, the technician is assessed on their competency to attempt the I-CAR Steel Welding Certification. The aluminium certification is the next phase for a technician. Any participants will complete the Steel Welding Certification (WCSA3) or have OEM certification in steel or aluminium before attempting the Aluminium Welding Certification (WCA03).
This pathway further strengthens a technicians’ abilities and provides them with a beneficial pathway to improving welding skills and knowledge for structural repairs.
Having your car repaired at Car Craft Accident Repair Centres gives you ‘the consumer’ if you will gain the confidence and assurance that your car will be repaired to the highest possible industry standard.
Which will give you peace of mind when you are driving along with your family in your recently repaired car.
So, when choosing your next car insurance policy, make sure you ask, “do I have a choice of repairer” if I have an accident. After all, you wouldn’t want just anyone fixing your car to non-industry standards, would you?
Written by: Cliff Reed
