Step into the world of science-based engineering with the Non-Destructive Testing Operator Apprenticeship. If you’re looking to start a career in some of the biggest industries in the world such as Oil & Gas, Aerospace, Energy, Power, Nuclear, and Transport, look no further as NDT qualifications can provide you with opportunities for all of the above. Read on to find out if the Non-Destructive Testing Operator Apprenticeship is the right fit for you.
Job Opportunities and Entry Criteria
Non-Destructive Testing Apprenticeships can provide a vast array of opportunities to kick start you into a well-paying career. Some of these include training in the product technology industry sector, education into NDT methods, and working as part of a team with workers at a similar level to yourself and of a superior level, allowing you to make contacts within the industry and potentially progress within the ranks
Entry level salaries after the completion of an apprenticeship usually start at around £26,000 and can go up to anything from £55,000 a year for experienced engineer level employees. If that isn’t enough to get you interested, some big organisations involved in creating the standard for the Non-Destructive Testing Operator were The British Institute of NDT, and Rolls Royce, meaning that popular companies similar to these organisations are sure to have a need for hiring NDT Operators.
Apprenticeship Entry Requirements
There are no educational entry requirements for this role, however you will need to achieve a level 1 in English and Maths in a level 2 English and maths test prior to taking the end-point assessment when completing the apprenticeship if you have not already achieved this through GCSEs. You will also be required to pass the NDT eyesight test, meaning you should have good, aided eyesight or good unaided eyesight for health and safety reasons. Adequate physical fitness is also beneficial for this role.
Daily duties and Primary responsibilities
On a day-to-day basis an NDT Operator Apprentice can expect to take part in some of the following tasks:
- Inspection of materials, welding, and other product components or items using one NDT method
- Report defects on the external surface of a test item or component
- Visually assess and inspect products
- Refer inspection results to a more qualified member of staff
- Training and safe use of equipment used for inspections and assessments
- Being forthcoming to your supervisor when raising concerns over the frequency of a certain type of defect
- Marking defective areas for other follow up validations and assessments by supervisors or colleagues
Some of the tools you can potentially be expected to learn to use during this apprenticeship can include devices that measure conductivity, resistivity, and corrosion, as well as thickness gauges, flaw detectors, material condition testers, and eddy current instruments.
Knowledge and behavioural modules
Some of the key aspects of NDT operating that you will have the opportunity to gain knowledge about are:
- Health and safety – In regard to Non-Destructive Testing ensuring your safety and the safety of others in the workplace is incredibly important. Your training and understanding will be relevant to the NDT method you will be using based on your training provider.
- NDT methods – To complete the Level 2 apprenticeship in this area you will be required to understand and action one NDT method, which will be taught to you by your training provider.
- Identifying defects – During this apprenticeship you will be required to learn and understand how to assess products and identify defects effectively against acceptance/rejection criteria.
- Sector specific technology – You will be expected to understand and use relevant industry technologies, have knowledge of quality aspects, and working practices, such as induction information and workplace confidentiality protocols.
- Industry relevant materials – Knowledge of well-used, new, and upcoming materials and product technology within your industry sector is considered extremely beneficial to learn in the Non-Destructive Testing apprenticeship.
Important qualities for Non-Destructive Testing Operators apprenticeship candidates:
- Ethics – Speak to all colleagues with respect and treat individuals with equality in mind. Discrimination in the workplace is not tolerated and all workers should report anything if they feel they are being treated unfairly.
- Time Management – All projects, assignments, and duties should consistently be completed in a timely manner and deadlines should be met or an extension should be requested in advance depending on the circumstances.
- Independence – Be able to work on assignments without assistance from others and having a positive impact on the work environment.
- Comfortable Working in a Team – Work in a team and support team members by equally contributing to any workload in any given teamwork scenario.
- Communication Skills – Communicating with senior members of staff and colleagues to ensure work is completed on time and to a high standard, and any issue are raised and resolved.
- Initiative – Apply knowledge learnt and experience gained throughout your apprenticeship to your daily tasks and use your initiative to raise any issues with senior members of staff.
Conclusion
Does the Level 2 Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Operator Apprenticeship sound like the right fit for you? We hope this post has given you an insight into the NDT course and has encouraged you to start your journey in finding the perfect career that is enjoyable and supports you financially. Non-Destructive Testing can open up a vast range of doors within the working world, making it a great choice for if you are yet unsure of what industry you wish to work in and are looking for an apprenticeship that will give you transferrable skills and keep your options open.
If Non-Destructive Testing is not for you but you’re still looking for something at a higher level in the science-based engineering field, why not check out our blog on the Level 6 Manufacturing Engineer Degree Apprenticeship?
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