NDT and why you should consider switching

Brian Rosebrugh · Post by **Brian Rosebrugh** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 8:50 am

Non Destructive Testing (NDT)
or Non Destructive Inspection (NDI)
or Non Destructive Examination (NDE)
all mean the same thing.

My Canadian General Standards Board license number is 00004. I am the last single digit in the business. The beauty of this trade is that as long as I can walk and talk I can actively work.

It also gave me the opportunity for a break from aircraft maintenance as well as a look at all the other areas or our lives that are affected by NDT. Absolutely nothing is built, manufactured or repaired without some form of NDT. The employment opportunities are endless.

I do not like this web site very much and won't visit this post more than once a week. However I am a teacher as well so the urge to assist and inform is very strong. If you would like to explore the opportunities please email me at subree@shaw.ca.

HeavyD · Post by **HeavyD** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 9:11 am

What great timing! Expect an email shortly.

Brian Rosebrugh · Post by **Brian Rosebrugh** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:10 am

The other great thing about NDT is that no matter what happens to the aviation, oil or manufacturing business, we are never I REPEAT never without employment, especially if you have more than one certificate.

There are dozens of different methods but the major six are:

Visual VT, Radiography RT, Ultrasonic UT, Magnetic Particle MT, Liquid Penetrant PT or Eddy Current ET.

I would suggest two or three major certificates as a start UT, MT, PT or VT.

Avoid radiography if you can - the personal safety dangers outweigh the advantages. Radiation will kill you - quickly like that Russian spy in London last year who drank it or more slowly like all the rest of us Atomic Radiation Workers.

HeavyD · Post by **HeavyD** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 6:33 pm

Brian I sent you an email that will come up under the address dkr1@____, just thought I would let you know in case your spam filter blocks it for some reason. Pm me if it doesn't work.

tincanflyer · Post by **tincanflyer** » Thu Oct 18, 2007 10:10 am

Careful what you say....Brian is famous for whining to Mods and getting threads deleted.

MCRS · Post by **MCRS** » Wed Oct 24, 2007 1:54 pm

Been there done that had level 1 and 2 eddy current and mag. part.
certs. (CGSB) found it to boring and went back to Aircraft Maintenance. maybe be less money but I get to do more and see more doing this business then I ever had with NDT. But, seems you enjoy it so fill your boots!
MCRS

timeposter · Post by **timeposter** » Thu Oct 25, 2007 9:02 am

is this a job ad?

twotter · Post by **twotter** » Fri Oct 26, 2007 12:55 am

No, it's a leftover from someone who was slightly confused and had forgotten to take his medication. He's now disappeared and probably won't be heard from again.

Brian Rosebrugh · Post by **Brian Rosebrugh** » Mon Oct 29, 2007 7:23 am

This post is for people interested in enhancing their employability options. Not useless pilot drivel. No more public exposures and wastes of my time.

When you ask me reasonable NDT questions privately you get a private response.

Dustin D Furniture · Post by **Dustin D Furniture** » Tue Oct 30, 2007 9:27 pm

How does one typically get involved in NDT? What kind of training? How do you get certified? What is the average pay? Sounds like it could be interesting.

Brian Rosebrugh · Post by **Brian Rosebrugh** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 3:43 pm

To get involved in NDT is not that easy - especially on the aviation side. First, you have to take an approved course at BCIT, SAIT, NAIT or Mohawk College in Hamilton. Then you have to find a company willing to take on a trainee for your on-the-job experience.

I would suggest that you concentrate on two minor methods like Magnetic Particle and Liquid Penetrant along with a major like Ultrasonics. With these three methods - you will never be unemployed in the NDT industry.

There are more than 50 NDT companies hiring in Alberta alone. You can work in just about any industrial environment you want to - petroleum, electrical generation, manufacturing, construction, maintenance and repair.

The average rates of pay for level 2 journeymen - with the above certificates - is near $100,000.00 per year with extensive benefits packages. The time interval from trainee to journey is currently around one year - but it is quickly going to be added to the 4-year apprenticeship program. If you intend to start - now is the right time.

When you get to my level, then you work as a consultant for 100.00 per hour plus all expenses prepaid. You can keep at it until you drop dead. I know one fellow who was well into his 70's before he quit.

MCRS · Post by **MCRS** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 4:04 pm

Don't forget Eddy Current Brian, That will be around as long as there are metal objects that can crack!
MCRS

HeavyD · Post by **HeavyD** » Sat Dec 01, 2007 12:17 am

Brian how does one avoid being roped into radiography? I have talked to a few employers and they all (edit..with the exception of one person)wanted me to start doing Xrays, even after they said that wasn't the healthiest NDT choice. Can a person get hired on anywhere as a trainee by saying "I would prefer to start learning Mag Particle, Dye Penetrant and Ultrasonics"?

badnewz · Post by **badnewz** » Mon Dec 03, 2007 10:46 pm

Careful Brian, you are fluffing the NDT thing up quite a bit. You are forgetting to tell how much time they have to do in the trenches to gain work experience before they attempt CGSB. And most of the people in here want aviation NDT jobs and not crawling towers or pipe racks in Ft Mac.

ame abc · Post by **ame abc** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 7:45 am

[ you will never be unemployed in the NDT industry.

There are more than 50 NDT companies hiring in Alberta alone. You can work in just about any industrial environment you want to - petroleum, electrical generation, manufacturing, construction, maintenance and repair.

The average rates of pay for level 2 journeymen - with the above certificates - is near $100,000.00 per year with extensive benefits packages. The time interval from trainee to journey is currently around one year - but it is quickly going to be added to the 4-year apprenticeship program. If you intend to start - now is the right time.

When you get to my level, then you work as a consultant for 100.00 per hour plus all expenses prepaid. You can keep at it until you drop dead. I know one fellow who was well into his 70's before he quit.[/quote]

so if this is true how come a friend of mine is doing NDT in edmonton making $13/hr on call and working about 6 hrs a week and he said theres about 100 NDT tecs in edmo sitting right now, doesnt sound that good to me!

electraguy · Post by **electraguy** » Tue Dec 04, 2007 8:35 am

Well Brian, though you may have a very old CGSB cert in your wallet you are obviosly out of touch with the aviation NDT industry. The 1 year that you speak of is not even close to the truth. With the new CGSB regs the hours have been boosted up for every method, which of course ups the time it takes to get your tickets. To get 3 to 4 tickets would be more like 3 years, and did you mention the drop in salary right off the bat when you change trades. I am aviation NDT myself, and have been through the process, and its not all the milk and honey that you make it out to be. For those who stick it out its a very enjoyable career but I would be doing my resarch if I was anyone reading this post and hoping to find instant gold in the NDT trade. Chances are if something sounds to good to be true, it generally is. Brian, may I suggest that you take that 100/hr that your making and get yourself an up to date copy of the CGSB regulations so that you can give these people accurate info rather than a bunch of false hopes.

Brian Rosebrugh · Post by **Brian Rosebrugh** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 5:27 pm

Hey Electraguy - you might want to check out the NRCan.ga.ca web site yourself before you start dissing me. I hold CGSB license number 4 in all five NDT methods. My first NDT course was in Oct 1975, so I have been actively involved for 32 years.

The hours of NDT training and practical experience have not changed in the last 7 years and are still the same right now. I was focusing my discussions towards those people wanting a change from aircraft mechanical work to something else. NDT offers a complete scope of opportunities in just about every industry you could think of (not just pipe racks in FtMac). Aviation offers about 1% of the total employment opportunities available to certified NDT technicians.

As for a pay cut - if you choose to switch - of course during your trainee period you can not expect to make the same wages as a certified CGSB Level 2 NDT tech. But in one year, it is technically feasible to gain at least 2 (LP, MP) and possibly 1 more (UT, ET or RT) level 2 NDT certifications. I completed level 2 MP and PT first and then wrote all three level one major (RT, UT, ET) exams. It took me just over one year to complete my first 3 level 2 certifications.

If anyone is interested in seeing a copy of the latest NDT regulations send me a private email at subree@shaw.ca

I am of the opinion that it should take a full 4-year apprenticeship to gain NDT technician certification. But who listens to an old guy?

electraguy · Post by **electraguy** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 8:08 am

I have checked, have you seen the new work experience hours? You may get one, and if your working ALOT you may get 2 with the present regs. You say you got your 3 level 2's in a year, that must have been a long time ago, or did you gain one of your level 1's during that process. Level 1's are fine and dandy but not of alot of use in the field. To gain the experience required and write the exams you will require far more than 1 year, unless your DND and you get all the extra paid study time and such.

badnewz · Post by **badnewz** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 9:19 pm

Brian, Brian, Brian, what are we to do. The timeframe required has changed during that last seven years. You def, need a new set of NRCAN regs or update your bookmark for their site. As for recruiting people out of here it would be nice but you gotta call it like it is. Seasonal, depending on the industry. As a fellow multi level II tech, I agree it is a rewarding trade but please don t sugar coat it. Jumping industries, initially taking a pay cut and at best seasonal employment depending on the industy, there are many NDT techs searching the job ads. Just ask SAIT how many of their Welcome to NDT (NDT 1) course students are looking for employment. Dont mind you trolling for stuff, but please use real bait.
Electraguy....comments?

electraguy · Post by **electraguy** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 9:35 pm

Thats right Badnewz, I don't know where this guy is getting his info, but he must still have that original copy of the regs he got 32 years ago. I hate to break it to ya there gramps but times have changed. Honestly who uses the term "dissing" anyways haha. Lot of people listen to old guys, but only when they have there facts straight. Badnewz is correct about all the NDT folks looking for work. Not to mention you forgot to tell our avid listeners about the heavy amount of hours, time away from home on the road and if your working in industry the ugly conditions you will get to experience while climbing into vessels, up towers, and working in plants and mills. Yummy, nothing like smelll of a hot vessel first thing in the morning. I agree with badnewz, that its a very rewarding trade, but its not for everyone, and it appears that some people don't know when to quit. You said it badnewz, there are alot of great opportunuties in the NDT trade, but this guy is using BS as bait, I am curious to see what he trys next.

HeavyD · Post by **HeavyD** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 11:16 pm

badnewz wrote: Jumping industries, initially taking a pay cut and at best seasonal employment depending on the industy, there are many NDT techs searching the job ads. Just ask SAIT how many of their Welcome to NDT (NDT 1) course students are looking for employment.

Guess it's a good thing I didn't pack my bags for that course.

badnewz · Post by **badnewz** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 8:42 am

Heavy D, as we discussed it is a awesome trade with good pay when you are working. It would take about 2.5 - 3 years of full time work to get one of the big three tickets (UT, ET, RT) plus LPI and MPI to get full level II wages. Problem is you are at the mercy of the industry and your employer which tickets are beneficial. When you obtain your tickets thru DND you do not realize how hard it is to maintain a steady good paycheck and gather enough hours to attempt your exams while working in the trenches. Yes lots of people have successfully done it. But to try to entice people into the trade without the right info is misleading. As for the $100.00/hr, my question is how many hours do you get at that? If is was that easy then why are you not trying to entice the available level II techs into that one. Come Brian share the wealth. There are lots of ex DND dudes looking for that kind of cash cow.

conehead · Post by **conehead** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 9:33 pm

NDT Level III - Testers - Toronto

Responsibilities:

*Verifies the cast product is inspected within pre-established manufacturing costs.

*Ensures all NDT personnel execute work instructions and activities to full compliance.

*Acts as NDT technical liaison with customers and corporate

*Ensure adherence to ISO9002 AND as91000 norms

Qualifications:

*Must have 10 years experience in NDT methods and manufacturing environment
*NDT and Quality specifications interpretation

*Good communicator, teacher, and leader to NDT personnel

*Pre-requisite- FT and RT Level III CGSB or ASNT, or prior Level III NAS-410 certification

4 Positions available

Location: Toronto

Salary: $85,000 -$90,000 + Benefits
Please forward your resume to:

Christoph · Post by **Christoph** » Sun Jun 14, 2015 11:54 am

I'm new to this field. Just in the career research phase in fact. I know this is an old thread but can anyone pointo me in the right direction if I wanted to get into the field. I live in Edmonton. Should I just start taking the courses they offer at NAIT? According to ALIS, job prospects and rate of pay in Alberta seem quite promising.

badnewz · Post by **badnewz** » Sat Jun 20, 2015 1:12 pm

Chris PM me if your still looking for some NDT info.

NDT and why you should consider switching

NDT and why you should consider switching

NDT

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NDT

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NDT

NDT

thats right!

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Re: NDT and why you should consider switching

Re: NDT and why you should consider switching