"Newly qualified technicians can earn between £17,500 and £21,000 a year. Experienced technicians with certification earn between £23,000 and £35,000. Senior staff can earn up to £40,000 a year or more."
Non-destructive testing (NDT) technicians examine and test the properties of materials used in machinery and structures to find possible faults like corrosion, cracks, flaws and other imperfections. Their work is important because problems like these could lead to dangerous machinery or infrastructure failing, for example, a high-pressure pipeline bursting. As an NDT technician, you would use a range of methods to test materials and parts, including:
NDT methods are also used in quality control procedures in many industries, including, aerospace, road and rail transport, manufacturing and power generation. An important part of your work would be to make sure that the testing method you use does not have any harmful effect on the materials, parts or machinery under examination.
A common way into this career is through an engineering apprenticeship. You might also be able to find a place as a trainee technician after completing an engineering qualification at your local college. With experience, you could work towards industry certification by completing an internationally recognised programme, such as the Personnel Certification in Non-Destructive Testing (PCN) scheme, the CSWIP Scheme or the American Society for Non-destructive Testing (ASNT) scheme.
- visual inspection – using CCTV and fibre optic cameras
- thermal imaging - to find defects in concrete and other building materials
- dye testing – staining surfaces with fluorescent liquid, which shows up flaws under ultraviolet lighting
- magnetic particle testing – applying magnetic particles to materials, so they line up along cracks and defects (often combined with dye testing)
- radiographic testing – using X-rays to find internal faults
- ultrasonic testing – firing high frequency sound pulses into materials and analysing the differences in the reflected signals
- eddy current testing – passing electricity through materials and measuring the differences in the flow of current
- resonant testing – assessing the growth of cracks or flaws by monitoring the acoustic vibrations of a structure, for example bridge supports.
NDT methods are also used in quality control procedures in many industries, including, aerospace, road and rail transport, manufacturing and power generation. An important part of your work would be to make sure that the testing method you use does not have any harmful effect on the materials, parts or machinery under examination.
A common way into this career is through an engineering apprenticeship. You might also be able to find a place as a trainee technician after completing an engineering qualification at your local college. With experience, you could work towards industry certification by completing an internationally recognised programme, such as the Personnel Certification in Non-Destructive Testing (PCN) scheme, the CSWIP Scheme or the American Society for Non-destructive Testing (ASNT) scheme.
Underwater NDT Inspection Divers
Underwater inspection is a specialist discipline which requires extensive engineering knowledge and qualifications as well as commercial diving qualifications. As such, Underwater NDT Inspection Divers can earn a lot of money and are able to work all over the world. Typically underwater NDT Inspection Divers are employed on offshore oil and gas platforms, maritime vessels, bridges and dams. Underwater NDT inspection is often carried out in dangerous environments, so training is often carried out in similar locations, and a health and safety certificate is normally required. Inspection methods usually include Visual Inspection; Ultrasonic Thickness Inspection; Corrosion Protection Inspection; Concrete Inspection; Subsea Video Inspection; Subsea Photographic Inspection; Verbal and Written Reporting. CSWIP offer an internationally recognised NDT Inspection Diver Certification for personnel at 4 different levels, but a commercial diving certificate needs to be held before candidates will be accepted onto these courses.
Underwater inspection is a specialist discipline which requires extensive engineering knowledge and qualifications as well as commercial diving qualifications. As such, Underwater NDT Inspection Divers can earn a lot of money and are able to work all over the world. Typically underwater NDT Inspection Divers are employed on offshore oil and gas platforms, maritime vessels, bridges and dams. Underwater NDT inspection is often carried out in dangerous environments, so training is often carried out in similar locations, and a health and safety certificate is normally required. Inspection methods usually include Visual Inspection; Ultrasonic Thickness Inspection; Corrosion Protection Inspection; Concrete Inspection; Subsea Video Inspection; Subsea Photographic Inspection; Verbal and Written Reporting. CSWIP offer an internationally recognised NDT Inspection Diver Certification for personnel at 4 different levels, but a commercial diving certificate needs to be held before candidates will be accepted onto these courses.
training providers
UK
Argyll-Ruane Ltd
Training and examinations in inspection and NDT
Lavender International NDT Ltd
International provider of training and examination
South West School of NDT
Training and examination services in the fields of NDT and associated technologies
Talon NDT
Aberdeen-based company that provides NDT training to the oil and gas industry
TWI Training and Examinations
NDT training, welding inspection, plant inspection, welding processes and procedures and underwater diver training
China
SGS Training & Examination Centre
NDT training, examinations and certification in accordance with PCN and SNT systems
US
Snell Infrared
Training in the use of thermal imaging equipment
Argyll-Ruane Ltd
Training and examinations in inspection and NDT
Lavender International NDT Ltd
International provider of training and examination
South West School of NDT
Training and examination services in the fields of NDT and associated technologies
Talon NDT
Aberdeen-based company that provides NDT training to the oil and gas industry
TWI Training and Examinations
NDT training, welding inspection, plant inspection, welding processes and procedures and underwater diver training
China
SGS Training & Examination Centre
NDT training, examinations and certification in accordance with PCN and SNT systems
US
Snell Infrared
Training in the use of thermal imaging equipment
