Nondestructive testing is a field with appeal for all members of the workforce, whether you are just entering the professional world or you have been working your whole life. If you are looking for a career change but fear what training may entail, here is what you need to know about NDT certification for adult learners.
Adult education can be difficult, not necessarily due to the abilities of the student, but because adult life often involves a more precarious daily schedule. For adults with spouses and children, time away from home is especially challenging to come by. For those who choose NDT technician testing, the flexibility offered for those with complicated schedules may reopen a possibility for entrance into a new career.
While NDT courses are not as “on-demand” as some online education, there is a great amount of flexibility in choosing which NDT methods you will seek out training for, as it fits your own schedule. In-person education and hands-on training are critical to becoming a qualified nondestructive testing technician, but this can be challenging when you don’t have a completely open schedule like you may have had in your early twenties.
At TXNDT, our course calendar offers classes ranging from two days to five days, depending on the certification. Prospective technicians can elect to take courses according to their own availability without feeling the need to “drop everything” to earn certification.
It is easy to feel like you are at a disadvantage when you begin a new career. The feeling of being ”behind” may be even more compounded for adult learners who are just entering into a new career.
NDT training from TXNDT offers all of its students plenty of opportunities for growth that don’t always require years of service for upward mobility. For the dedicated technician, you won’t have to wait a decade for professional growth and added levels of autonomy and responsibility because NDT certification can be earned at a number of levels.
At Level I Limited certification, new technicians are closely supervised and have little independence while performing inspections but still can practice in the field. At Level I, technicians are still under supervision but can perform more methods with a bit more freedom.
Level II technicians have autonomy over their inspections and are expected to understand all of the codes, specifications, and standards for the methods of inspection they perform. These technicians can act as supervisors for other, lower certified technicians.
Finally, at Level III unlimited certification, technicians have achieved the highest possible level of certification and are considered experienced professionals in the field. In addition to certification in testing methods, Level III technicians must also meet one of these requirements:
Possess a degree in engineering or science from a university or college with a minimum of one year of Level II experience in the specific NDT discipline(s)
Passed at least two years of science or engineering study at a college, university, or technical school with two years of Level II experience in the specific NDT discipline(s)
Gained four years of Level II experience in the specific NDT discipline(s)
Even after just four years in the field, adult learners are qualified candidates for the highest level of certification.
It is never too late to learn a new skill, accomplish a new goal, or enter into a new career. While change is always tricky, with the proper support, it is possible.
If you are looking for nondestructive testing services to protect your assets or to become a technician yourself through NDT technician training, it’s crucial to choose the right company or school to meet your NDT needs.
TXNDT is a cut above the rest with superior NDT courses, knowledgeable instructors, and hands-on coursework to prepare all emerging technicians for NDT certification. Check us out online or give us a call today at 281-231-0001 to see how TXNDT can work for you!
