Latest news and updates - October 2020Warm welcome to our October Newsletter. In this edition of our monthly update we would like to invite
you to take part in the discussion about 'Transfer of NDT Skills
Across Sectors'. We laid out our arguments below and are looking
forward to your input. Enjoy reading and if you want to let someone else to take the
load and who understands NDT, then please feel free to contact our
Technical Director, Paul Morgan, for a confidential, no obligation
chat on +44 (0)1793 200169 |
Transfer of NDT Skills Across SectorsWe would appreciate the NDT community's thoughts on the
proposition outlined below. It seeks to start a conversation that
could lead to a more flexible NDT workforce; able to work across
different industrial sectors. Although we use ultrasonic testing
(UT) as an example here, this also applies to other methods. Other
sectors, than aerospace and oil & gas examined here, can also be
considered. |
Sector CertificationProficiency in UT of a weld on an oil platform or of a CFRP
composite panel on an aircraft requires knowledge of how they were
formed and thus what flaws may be inherent. |
Of course, they are two different beasts, and this is only one
example of how discontinuities differ from one sector to another;
how they're sought and what their indications represent. This has
necessarily led to sector specific certification and to NDT
practitioners being pigeonholed. |
Product TechnologyFor example, although the actual UT technique used to determine
flaws in a CFRP composite panel is relatively easy (compared to
shear wave testing), knowledge of how it was |
manufactured and of potential flaws inherent from manufacture or
service life is key. The oil and gas NDT technician with PCN 3.1,
3.2 would not be equipped to successfully carry out this test. It's
even more evident looking at it the other way around. However, the
shortage of technicians lies in UT of composites and they are in
greater demand than ever. This disparity in skill sets applies to
other methods and sectors as well. |
Product Technology TrainingIn the future we would like to see training courses developed
solely to address differences in product technology; that are
specific to each |
industrial sector and be used as an appendix to core method
certification. Rather than, as at present, a PCN UT 3.1 tech being
required to undergo basic theory again to achieve PCN Aero, for
example. This, we would argue, would provide a leaner pathway to
certification and enable technicians to utilise their existing
method certs to move more easily between sectors. For example: a
course in aerospace structures and manufacture of carbon composite
parts. This would enable an oil and gas technician to switch to
aerospace. This idea, in principle, would have to be agreed by
certifying bodies (ASNT, BINDT (PCN) and ISO) and extensive work
carried out to determine appropriate content and how much work
experience would entitle them to accreditation. Nonetheless, we
believe that this will provide a more flexible NDT workforce that
would be better equipped to fill shortfalls in sector manpower or
enable technicians to move from highly competitive sectors. We
recognise that technicians require extensive experience in their
new field to become and remain effective, but once achieved, the
period of ‘significant interruption' stipulated in PCN can be used
to determine whether these courses remain current for the
individual. So, we have laid out my proposition, very much in principle, and
acknowledge the extensive work to make it a reality. Can it become
a reality? Have we misunderstood sector specific certification? We
look forward to your thoughts. |
Q & A Q: What will I get from you that I would
not get elsewhere? |
A: Simply put, NDT Resources
is NDT recruitment. We will anticipate
your every need because NDT is all we do. No other recruiter will
understand the methodology, certification equivalents, industry
sectors, salary expectations, contractor requirements and technical
jargon the way we do. You will receive pre-qualified candidates
that can do the job – no more irrelevant CVs to sift through. |
JobsOur job offering is constantly changing varying from UK and
global placements for a wide range of roles in the NDT sector.
Contact us for details. |
NDT Resources Ltd is acting as an Employment Agency
(introducing candidates for employment by the hirer) as defined
under the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses
Regulations 2003 (UK) in respect of the job title detailed
above.Add text to your email. |
