The CSWIP scheme is: an internationally recognised mark of competence for people engaged in welding and/or inspection related jobs in manufacturing, constructing, operating or repairing high integrity welded structures, plant or components an accredited scheme - the UK government's Department of Trade and Industry has accredited CSWIP for personnel certification in accordance with ISO/IEC 17024 through the United Kingdom Accreditations Service (UKAS)

CSWIP is known internationally to have documented the best practices, and the best way to test the skillset of several Job profiles involved in the engineering industry. When AWS tests and certifies a technician or an engineer, the international engineering community accepts the fact that this person is suitable for a particular job profile. So a CSWIP certification basically helps the candidate to widen the horizon where he can take up a job or assignment.

Welders, operators, line inspectors and foremen who undertake visual examination of welded joints; quality control staff associated with welding; all staff who need basic training in welding inspection coupled with a qualification in this field. This course is also available with a practical module: CSWIP 3.0 Plus - Visual Welding Inspector with Practical Module (4 days).

Inspection engineers and supervisory staff. The course is ideal for inspectors requiring preparation for the CSWIP examinations - Welding Inspector. Those with little or no previous welding experience are advised to attend the Certificate in Visual Inspection of Welds course to prepare for this course.

Experienced welding inspectors and quality control staff, especially those who are proceeding to the CSWIP Senior Welding Inspector examination. It is essential that course members have a knowledge of the subjects covered in the course Welding Inspector before joining this course. It is the responsibility of the examination candidates to either hold CSWIP Welding Inspector 3.1 or consider attending the Welding Inspector course and examination (WIS5E) prior to this course/examination.