The Oulu Vocational College (OSAO) has opened a new welding workshop.The modern workshop meets the requirements of today's working life and raises the welding training onto an international level. Students studying to become sheet metal workers will be able to move into their new premises in the end of February, 2011.

According to the new curricula for the machine and metal industry, the amount of teaching in welding will be significantly increased. 'Thanks to the new welding workshop, we will be able to provide our students with welding training that is in line with the international standards. The training also gives the students a chance to acquire international IW welding qualifications', says teacher Markku Tahvanainen, the project manager of the workshop project.

End product of the Hitsko project
The new welding plant was born as an end product of the Hitsko project. The main objectives of the project were developing a training process that comes up to the requirements of an international welder's diploma, and creating a learning environment that corresponds to the needs of working life. Within the project, 20 MIG/MAG/TIG machines and electrodes plus other devices and tools needed in welding were acquired to be used in the welding training. The machine fitting department now has a leveling instrument and devices needed in pumping processes, bearing installations, maintenance, installation technics and hydraulics.

The total cost of the project was 287 000€, to which OSEKK (the Oulu Region Joint Authority for Education) received EAKR and national financing worth 216 000€ (75 %). Before starting the project, an extensive survey with companies in the Oulu region was executed to find out which skills will be needed in the near future within the machine and metal industry. A need to develop particularly the basic vocational education in welding and machine fitting came to the fore in the survey.

The Oulu Vocational College (OSAO) is a multidisciplinary vocational institute that has 8500 young and adult students. OSAO organises vocational training in 12 units in the Oulu region and the North-East region of Northern Ostrobothnia. OSAO is a part of the Oulu Region Joint Authority for Education (OSEKK).

For further information: Teacher Markku Tahvanainen,
tel. +358 10 2723243.
Kaukovainio Unit