Transfer of NDT Skills Across Sectors
Paul Morgan MREC CertRP - Global NDT Recruitment
Hiring managers call me to recruit the best global NDT talent for their business.
I 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 I 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 Certification
Proficiency 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 Technology
For 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 Training
In the future I 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, I 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, I 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. I 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, I 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 I misunderstood sector specific certification? I look forward to your thoughts.
Freelance Consultant, NDT Level 3, Rope Access Level 3, CSWIP 3.4u, iEng
4 年this is already a work in progress with Bindt's move towards a modular approach to NDT training.. however it is going to take years to organize and implement. I am on the working group who are working on Electro Magnetic testing and the associated disciplines, and we have been at it for a long while, and still have a long way to go..
Hiring managers call me to recruit the best global NDT talent for their business.
4 年Thank you Michael Phillips, Jeremiah Rawls, Dinu Tandareanu, Matthew Daniel Hale, Jason Taylor, Gary Parker and Nathan Bate for taking the time to provide valuable additions to this topic.
ANDT Delivery Manager | PCN (ISO 9712) UT/PAUT/ToFD L3 at Bilfinger UK
4 年This is an interesting post as in South Africa, ANDTc introduced a stand alone product technology course consisting of what I believe was 2 days training and an exam (might be one day training, don't hold me to it) . This was also made compolsury for new trainees coming into the industry through there training system. This training centre is a recognised by BINDT and offer PCN examinations. To only hear now this is a proposition to enforce it seems strange as they were enforcing this years ago already, which I do agree with. Product technology is a huge part of the industry. Every person should have an in depth knowledge relevant to the products they are testing. I have notice several differences from moving from the South African industry to the UK industry and to how the BINDTs PCN certification documents are used or interperated.
SGS Technical Manager
4 年That's pretty much what PCN is working on. Rather than making a one size fits all qualification they are looking at a modular approach. So anything that is transferable between methods, techniques, equipment or industry doesn't have to be re-done. Then bolt on additional modules to get to the level of competence (Some of it will probably be inside the employing company). I'm paraphrasing obviously and we have to be aware of how it all sits within ISO 9712 both current and future. We also don't want to paint ourselves into a corner where your never actually qualified to do any job other than the one you are doing today " Ah this was welded down hand not up hand like the last one, have you been trained in testing that?"