How to become a Non-destructive Testing Technician

Duties & Tasks of a Non-destructive Testing Technician

Non-destructive testing (NDT) technicians:

• Test welds in the manufacture of pressure vessels and other steel fabrications
• Test power generation and petrochemical plant components for corrosion and other defects
• Test aircraft structures, engines and components for in-service and other defects
• Examine and interpret inspection methods and test results for other personnel
• Apply various methods in laboratory situations or at construction sites to investigate the properties of materials, objects and instruments.

Tasks

• Conducts quality tests and other tests to detect defects.
• Develops new combinations of metals (alloy development) and creates products that combine metals with other materials.
• Advises engineers and manufacturers on industrial processes that use metals and the correct selection of metals for specific uses.
• Write evidence briefs for litigation cases and appear as an expert witness in court.
• Checks the quality of metals or other materials used in new products.
• Develops techniques to repair metal damage.
• Studies the properties of metals and other materials.
• Uses ultrasonic, radiographic and other non-destructive testing methods.
• Develops and improves existing materials.
• Interprets results from radiographs, meters and other indicators.

Working conditions for a Non-destructive Testing Technician

NDT work is often done in the field, such as on pipelines or at construction sites. It is also used frequently in production plants and laboratories as part of a quality system. Persons engaged in X-ray work may be exposed to ionising radiation in the course of their duties. Each state and territory has legislation and codes of practice for how this work is to be carried out safely.

Specializations

Non-destructive Testing Technician

Non-destructive testing technicians examine and test the functionality and performance of an object or material in a way that will not affect its usefulness.

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  Average age

  38

• 

  Future Growth

  N/A

• 

  Gender Share

  28% female

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  Average full-time

  50 hours

• 

  Weekly Pay

  N/A

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  Skill level rating

  Medium skill

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  Unemployment

  Lower unemployment

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  Full-Time Share

  86%

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  Employment Size

  4,100

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  Employment by state

  ACT: 0.2%
  NSW: 13.7%
  NT: 2.1%
  QLD: 21.3%
  SA: 7.4%
  TAS: 1.6%
  VIC: 10.2%
  WA: 43.5%
  
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  Age brackets

  15-19: 1%
  20-24: 7.4%
  25-34: 31.7%
  35-44: 23.8%
  45-54: 22.6%
  55-59: 8.3%
  60-64: 3.6%
  65 and Over: 1.7%
  
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  Education level

  Advanced Diploma/Diploma: 19.6%
  Bachelor degree: 17.7%
  Certificate III/IV: 30.2%
  Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate: 3.9%
  Year 10 and below: 8.2%
  Year 11: 3.8%
  Year 12: 16.5%