The challenge: Upholding global safety and quality standards
Tesla has revolutionised the automotive industry, designing high-performance electric vehicles synonymous with innovation and safety. To maintain the structural integrity and quality of finish on these sophisticated vehicles, only Tesla approved bodyshops (TABs) are permitted to perform repairs.
A core requirement for achieving TAB status is the successful completion of a mandatory structural welding course. As Tesla’s global network expanded, relying solely on its European training centres in Netherlands and Germany became a logistical challenge, particularly for the UK and Nordics due to travel and visa complexities.
Tesla needed a trusted UK based partner capable of establishing a validation centre that could operate with the exact same equipment, processes and standards as its existing facilities, ensuring every approved technician, regardless of location, met its stringent safety criteria.
The solution: A partnership built on precision
The partnership with RWC Training began organically, leveraging the existing dialogue established through the successful delivery of a previous training programme. When Tesla enquired about welding capabilities, we immediately confirmed our expertise and capacity to establish the validation centre.
The critical step was standardisation to ensure technicians were assessed the same across different continents. We collaborated closely with Tesla to understand its centre’s operations in Netherlands and Germany; now the centres we run, the equipment, processes, set up of bays etc. Our commitment was clear: to emulate the facility entirely.
- Investment: We procured the Tesla approved welding equipment and installed a layout where every welding bay was identical and configured in a line, eliminating any variables that could affect consistency.
- Quality assurance: Tesla personnel, including Ryan Jones Tesla Manager, EMEA Bodyshop Training, visited our facility to conduct intensive standardisation sessions with RWC welding instructors and senior management. This meticulous process ensured the centre operated exactly as Tesla mandated, guaranteeing global consistency in validation.
From the first conversation in May 2023 to welcoming the first delegate in September 2023, the centre was established with exceptional speed and efficiency.
The trainer was very helpful when needed, and made me feel very relaxed and comfortable in a test situation. Will recommend the trainer and the whole of RWC to fellow people in the motor trade. Well done to all at RWC.
Tesla welding validation delegate
Mandated standards and assessment
RWC Training strictly adheres to Tesla’s mandate: this is not a training course, it is a rigorous validation and assessment. Technicians are expected to be highly skilled upon arrival. The four day intensive assessment focuses on practice and validation: two days on structural steel welding and two days on structural aluminium welding.
- Welcome: To ensure delegates truly understand the requirements, the welcome presentation informs them of how the course will run, timeframes and expectations.
- Familiarisation and practice time: The course begins with a familiarisation session where delegates are guided through the standardised welding equipment and settings. Crucially, they are given dedicated practice time to get their rhythm and technique consistent. The objective of this practice is clear: to ensure they are comfortable enough with the mandated equipment and process to then meet the high standards required for the subsequent validation assessment.
- Welds: Delegates must complete a set amount of welds in varying positions and angles: 7 structural steel welds and 8 structural aluminium welds across various positions. They must also demonstrate different techniques such as butt, lap, plug and fillet welds. They are allowed two attempts per weld.
- Global consistency: To ensure fairness, Tesla mandates and supplies standardised size and thickness metal coupons worldwide, guaranteeing that the materials behave identically during the validation process.
- Renewal: Certification is valid for three years, after which technicians must return and complete a different validation module (there are three versions in total) to confirm their ongoing proficiency with the latest methods.
Great experience, and very friendly and helpful guys on the course. Everything was very professional and good. Think it was a great experience and I was put at ease by the trainer!
Tesla welding validation delegate
The results: A global hub of excellence
The entire process, from booking to validation, operates seamlessly. RWC Training’s exceptional adherence to Tesla’s global standards quickly established the UK centre as a pillar of the brand’s network, earning the trust necessary to expand its mandate far beyond its initial scope. Our standardisation and rigorous process ensures absolute consistency, guaranteeing every delegate receives the identical, globally mandated validation assessment, there is no ambiguity.
The centre was originally intended to serve the UK and Nordics. However, its efficiency and strict adherence to Tesla’s standards quickly expanded its mandate.
Today, the UK centre has become a global hub:
- Delegates welcomed: 305
- Countries represented: 20
- Initial start date: September 2023
- 2025 pass rate: 93.07%
The rigorous standard is evident in the data: a pass rate of 93.07% means that 6.93% of technicians did not meet the high standards required to work on a Tesla vehicle. This non-negotiable approach underscores the integrity of the validation process, which has been updated to reflect Tesla’s evolving requirements, whilst keeping the same rigour and standardisation.
Our reach is growing with Tesla’s own emerging markets like the Middle East (eg Israel). The team has adapted to the centre’s global reach, with our commitment extending beyond the welding bay. We provide flexible support, including catering to dietary needs, special requests and welcoming translators for delegates. To accommodate the increasing international travel, we also provide luggage rooms and secure lockers for those arriving straight from the airport.
The RWC Training team is incredibly proud that Tesla has placed its trust in us to deliver this critical service. By playing a part in this global validation network, we help ensure that every Tesla is repaired safely and correctly to the manufacturer’s specification, upholding the brand’s commitment to excellence and safety worldwide.
Your standards, delivered without compromise
The success of our partnership with Tesla is a blueprint for how RWC Training supports the world’s leading automotive manufacturers. We understand that your brand’s reputation rests on the quality of the repairs performed in the field. Whether you require bespoke technical assessments, IMI accredited certifications or a complete replication of your global training standards, we provide the infrastructure and expertise to make it happen. By combining rapid facility deployment with a non-negotiable approach to quality assurance, we act as a seamless extension of your own business – ensuring your network is competent, safe and future-ready.