SAIW News: SAIW 2.0 Transformation
The SAIW 2.0 Transformation Project
SAIW Training and Technical Manager, Confidence Lekoane, highlights the progress being made towards the full imple- mentation of the SAIW 2.0 Renewal Project.
T hroughout this year, the SAIW has focused on stabilising day-to-day operations, strengthening the Insti- tute’s certification infrastructure, advanc- ing its digitisation strategy, modernising its training and certification offerings, and securing the long-term sustainability of the organisation. “We have now completed a massive business restructuring process, which has made a significant impact on stabilisa- tion across the organisation. We are not entirely where we want to be yet, but the overwhelming backlog and daily opera- tional pressure have eased considerably,” says Lekoane. She adds that significant progress has been achieved in both company and personnel certification, as well as in the digitisation of several key systems critical to the SAIW’s future. “We have now completed a massive business restructuring process, which has made a significant impact on sta- bilisation across the organisation. We are not entirely where we want to be yet, but the overwhelming backlog and daily operational pressure have eased considerably,” says Lekoane. Digital transformation The newly launched SAIW Website high- lights the comprehensive nature of the SAIW’s digital transformation. “We have made excellent progress on the website, which has received very positive feedback,” she says.
The completely redesigned website is more than just a repository for information and news; it has been designed as a portal for all current and future SAIW members, students and clients to access exactly what they need from their own phones, tablets or computers. Embedded in the new site is direct ac- cess from anywhere to the newly developed cloud-based student management system, along with the online Course Prospectus, which provides searchable information about SAIW course offerings and the de- livery calendar for each course. A student wishing to take a course can register with SAIW through a process as simple as reg- istering for any online shopping platform. Once registered, a course can be booked, and students will instantly receive a system-generated quotation. Work is still being done on resits of examinations, transition exams, and recertification, which we hope will be bookable via this system in the near future to improve customer service and turnaround time. To enhance training quality and consis- tency, SAIW has implemented a Learning Management System (LMS) to manage and deliver training. This is a digital platform where students can access learning materi- als online, while lecturers can upload notes, videos and assignments. Assessments and quizzes can be done on the platform in preparation for examinations. The platform also serves as a centralised communication and announcements platform between lecturers and students. “We are exploring the possibility of marking exam papers automatically, which
SAIW’s Technical and Training manager, Confidence Lekoane. is not only faster – potentially within min- utes of having completed an exam – but it can also improve marking consistency and reduce bias,” she explains. Most importantly, SAIW is committed to ensuring dramatic improvement in the time between exam completion and the release of results, one of the Institute’s big- gest customer-service priorities,” Lekoane assures African Fusion . Also in the development pipeline is a system to compile examination questions for all the courses offered. In this regard, Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help to ensure consistent examination standards year to year and optimise language use to better suit the broad range of students who do not speak English as their first language. This innovation positions SAIW at the forefront of modern assessment best prac- tice and aligns with international expecta- tions for training and certification bodies. The development of Personnel and Com- pany Certifications is underway. The Cer- tification infrastructure has been updated, and a new filing infrastructure has been installed. For ISO 3834 Company Certification, SAIW has introduced the digital auditing System, Weldex, which can manage all aspects of ISO 3834, from welder qualifica- tions to quality management, eliminating paperwork and offering certified compa- nies real-time insights into their opera- tions. Integrating this purpose-developed and proven system into the ISO 3834 Cer- tification offering meets a core aim of de- livering affordable operational excellence to the South African fabrication industry, while fulfilling the SAIW’s core mandate of Personnel and Company Certification
The completely redesigned SAIW 2.0 website has been designed as a portal for all current and future SAIW members, students and clients to access exactly what they need.
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November-December 2025
AFRICAN FUSION
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