Q: Can you describe a typical workday for you as an NDT tech?

A: Generally answering emails regarding certification, exams, technical queries, procedure enquiries or training, then conducting audits, exams, training, performance reviews, procedure updates, or technical queries.

Q: Where do you typically perform your role?

A: Either in our new office at AMP Rotherham, or onsite, which can range from factories to labs.

Q: What type of equipment do you use?

A: My main tool these days is my laptop, as the consultancy services that we provide doesn’t require such a hands on approach, but I do need to know and understand how the equipment being used by technicians works.

Q: What skills are required in your role?

A: Technical knowledge that is gained through having done the job, an ability to solve problems, being proactive, decision making, time management, honesty, patience, a thick skin and empathy. Also need to be a good listener and take my teams views and opinions onboard, but being able to make up my own mind.

Q: How do you stay updated?

A: By attending conferences, speaking with people within the industries that we work, an immense amount of reading of new specifications and updated requirements and discussing issues amongst my team.

Q: How often do you work alone?

A: Probably 80 to 90% of my time is working alone, although I am in contact with my team members every day via phone, emails etc.

Q: What types of materials or structures do you most often test?

A: Mainly metals, but covering a whole range of industries from Aerospace to Nuclear, Power Generation to Oil & Gas.

Q: Which NDT methods do you use the most?

A: Magnetic Particle Testing, Penetrant Testing and Ultrasonic Testing.

Q: What are some common challenges you face during your inspections?

A: Having enough time in the day to complete the tasks that are required is my biggest challenge, as well as having to inform clients of bad news – an inspector failing an exam, or a performance review; Or informing them of Non-conformances raised during audits.

Q: Who do you collaborate with most?

A: Clients and my own team.

Q: What do you enjoy the most?

A: The camaraderie with colleagues.

Q: What do you find less enjoyable?

A: Dealing with people, when you have to give them news they don’t want to hear.

Q: How do you handle unexpected issues or complications during testing?

A: By being honest and working with the client to overcome the complication.

Q: Can you share an example of a challenging project and how you overcame it?

A: We had a fire at our facility and it shut the department down for a period of time whereby we couldn’t inspect, and had lost an extensive amount of equipment. I worked with subcontract companies to help prioritise the work we could no longer do and also sent some of our personnel to work at their premises.

Q: How has your role as an NDT technician evolved since you started?

A: Since becoming a Level 3 in 1998, I have spent less time doing the job and more time consulting and auditing. Now I spend very little if any time on the tools.

Q: Can you share a memorable moment or achievement from your career?

A: When I started at Firth Rixson Forgings (now Forged Solutions) I got their NADCAP audit down from 16 NCR’s (failures) to zero within 12 months, and also set up their internal agency so that they could do their own exams.