| |
What
is NDT?
Non-Destructive
Testing (NDT) is testing and evaluating materials,
without causing damage or destruction to the material. For
example, the
testing of a
mechanical component
for flaws, without weakening the component, or rendering the
component
useless.
Non-Destructive Testing is used in a very wide range
of industries (such as Aerospace, Energy...) and job opportunities
are virtually limitless.
A career in NDT is a dynamic career, where up-to-date
training is a necessity. Qualification is very important for
the NDT industry, as errors can have disastrous consequences;
therefore an NDT operator can expect to have to refresh skills
regularly, attending training courses and taking examinations.
There is more to training however than refreshing things you
already know. NDT is composed of a great number of different
disciplines (or 'methods'). Each discipline is a different branch
of applied physics, used to perform non-destructive testing (e.g.
ultrasonics, radiography, eddy current, magnetics...). This means
a career in NDT should never stagnate, there is aways the opportunity
to diversify into a different method, or specialise in one method
to an advanced level of competence. Exiting new developments
are also being made in NDT such as advanced ultrasonics techniques
(e.g. Time of Flight Diffraction and Phased Array).
There are three benchmark certification levels of
competence in NDT, and this applies to every method. Level 1
is designed for the basic performing of practical techniques,
and aquisition of data. Level 2 involves aquisition of and more
detailed analysis of data. Level 3 addresses design of inspections,
procedures, and data analysis.
Do I Need Existing
Qualifications?
The great advantage of NDT is that, as previously
mentioned - due to the importance of properly trained personnel,
NDT certification is a large part of the industry. Once an operator
is a certified NDT engineer, he/she is adequately qualified for
the NDT industry.
There are no prerequisites to studying for NDT certification,
so in answer to the above question, no existing qualifications
are necessary to start a career in NDT!
As NDT is applied physics, it is an obvious advantage
when training as an operator if a basic scientific education
has been obtained (e.g. GCSE or A-Level Physics). However, this
is not a requirement, and many NDT operators do
not initially possess scientific qualifications. A basic understanding
of mathematics and for more advanced equipment - basic computer
skills are an advantage. |
|
So How Do I Actually Get Into
The Industry?
There are essentially two entrances into the NDT industry, and these
become apparent if you look at the components of NDT certification
(remember that NDT certification is the only requirement for
a career in NDT).
NDT certification is composed of three components, Training, Work
Exerience and Examination. A minimum number of hours of training
and work experience must be completed, and an examination must
be passed to achieve certification. The work experience may be
completed before the training and examination or after.
Therefore the two entrances to the industry are:
• Gain training and pass examination, and then apply
to gain experience as a trainee operator working alongside a
qualified NDT inspector.
• Gain experience as a trainee operator by shadowing
a qualified NDT inspector, and then take the training and pass
examinations to gain certification.
The first method of starting a career in the NDT industry is much
easier, as getting a job as a trainee NDT operator is likely
to be easier if you can prove you have already had training and
passed examinations.
What's The First Step?
For someone with no previous experience in the NDT industry, the best
way to get involved is to book a training and examination course
in a basic method e.g. VT, MT, or PT. Once the training has been
completed, and the examination passed, then work experience must
be gained. Take a look at Lavender International's Training section
to find out about all the different training courses available.
Also for a good understanding of how NDT certification actually
works, look at the Certification page.
|
|
|
