Kate Dilloway tells her story as to why she chose an NDT apprenticeship through BINDT
The engineering sector has always been considered a diverse industry due to the wide mix of roles available and this is particularly true in the non-destructive testing (NDT), condition monitoring (CM) and structural health monitoring (SHM) communities.
Three NDT apprenticeships are currently available that offer an entry route for people from all backgrounds:
- NDT Operator
- NDT Technician
- NDT Engineer.
These have been developed by leading engineering organisations in conjunction with the British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing (BINDT), the professional institute for all those engaged in NDT, CM and SHM. BINDT is also dedicated to equality, diversity and inclusion, as well as sustainability.
NDT, CM and SHM are engineering science-based professions that requires competent NDT, CM and SHM personnel to inspect materials, welds, components or other items to verify their integrity in industries such as aerospace, motorsport, power generation and distribution, manufacturing, railways, oil & gas (on- and offshore), marine and construction. NDT offers its technicians the opportunity to work throughout the world on inspiring and new sustainable engineering projects ensuring that they have constructively contributed to the safety of society and the environment.
The following account from current apprentice Kate Dilloway provides an insight for those considering a career in NDT.
Kate is nearing the end of the first year of her Level 3 NDT Technician apprenticeship. Working alongside highly skilled operators, she will gain invaluable experience and will have the opportunity to achieve Level 2 Personnel Certification in Non-Destructive Testing (PCN) for three methods: magnetic testing, ultrasonic testing and radiography. Kate currently works for Babcock International Group plc at their Marine and Technology site in Plymouth. During her apprenticeship she will learn how to test and inspect welds, castings and forgings. Babcock International Group plc is a British aerospace, defence and nuclear engineering services company that specialises in managing complex assets and infrastructure.
During secondary school, Kate achieved GCSEs at grades 4 to 8 and particularly excelled in maths, design and technology and art. Kate was diagnosed with dyslexia when she was eight years old and found that she struggled when faced with reading large amounts of text, which explains her talent in the practical, technical, numerical and artistic subjects. Kate then progressed to sixth form where she gained BTEC certificates in health and social care, applied psychology and a Level 3 certificate in mathematics. However, she soon realised that sixth form and a career in healthcare were not the right direction for her.
Kate explains: “I initially thought a practical, hands-on career in healthcare would be ideal for me. However, after gaining my BTEC certificates, I realised that I didn’t enjoy it as much as I had design and technology at GCSE level. That is when I realised that an engineering role was right for me.”
Following Kate’s decision to change her career pathway, she now needed to decide which area of engineering would be the best suited for her. Kate attended various careers fairs and thoroughly researched the diverse engineering sectors available until she finally discovered the world of NDT. Kate knew that further education was not her preferred route; she wanted to start working and learning. Therefore, the next step was to find an NDT apprenticeship.
Kate concludes: “I loved the idea of completing practical tasks but also writing reports about the tests results. So, when I was offered the apprenticeship, I couldn’t have been happier. My typical day involves going on-site to carry out tests in the morning, followed by report writing in the afternoon to detail whether the area tested has passed or failed.”
Now an active member of the NDT community, Kate has taken part in the Southampton Apprentice Conference, represented her field at careers fairs and supported STEM initiatives in primary schools. She’s also a member of the BINDT Early Careers Branch, which hosts meetings and social events aimed at supporting, encouraging and guiding newcomers in the NDT industry.
To find out more about apprenticeship training in NDT, visit the website at www.bindt.org/apprenticeships and download the ‘Is NDT the career for me?’ leaflet at: www.bindt.org/downloads/Is-NDT-the-career-for-me.pdf
