Are you interested in training to become an NDT technician but are unsure about which skills you’ll need? Some of the skills that make a good NDT technician can be gleaned through coursework at MIAT College of Technology and built upon throughout your career.1 So, what is NDT?
What Is NDT?
NDT stands for non-destructive testing. It is product testing for extreme quality assurance. An NDT technician uses various tools and techniques to analyze materials and structures without causing any damage or disassembling them.
An NDT technician collects data about a product or material to determine whether the product has any imperfections through non-destructive inspection (NDI). If something is flawed with the product or material, it’s the NDT technician’s duty to report the issue in vivid detail.
What Skills Make a Good NDT Technician?
Many skills are important for non-destructive testing. However, the following skills are particularly important for an NDT technician to learn:
Attention to Detail
Being an NDT technician requires meticulous attention to detail. An NDT technician must recognize even the smallest of details when performing testing. A difference of millimeters can be enough to reject a prototype from entering production, and identifying any flaws can help ensure human safety. It’s important to be mentally present, precise, ready to traverse a checklist, and to record every detail for the reporting protocol of the non-destructive testing that’s being performed.
Quality Control Analysis
NDT technicians conduct many tests and perform inspections of products and processes to evaluate quality and performance. It’s important to apply the previous attention-to-detail skills to maintain standards in product manufacturing with a systematic approach.
Problem-Solving
It’s important for NDT technicians to identify problems as they arise. The foundation of an NDT technician’s role is to identify problems to help ensure human safety and product integrity. Each problem has multiple solutions, and it’s up to NDT technicians to identify the best possible solution so a prototype or product can be configured in a way that minimizes flaws and improves integrity.
Critical Thinking
As an NDT technician, it’s important to use critical thinking when analyzing the results of a non-destructive test. Technicians must observe the integrity of the product, measure its stability, and communicate about it with procession within reporting. Critical thinking allows NDT technicians to properly define and analyze problems while avoiding any cognitive biases.
Time Management
Most manufacturing has deadlines, and NDT technicians must consider such deadlines when performing non-destructive testing. However, since safety is the first priority, an NDT technician may be able to prioritize the more important aspects of testing so the results are not flawed, and so the product’s limits are properly identified for human safety.
Communication
Much of the verbal and written communication of non-destructive testing involves technical information that must be relayed in such a manner that a layperson can understand. Communication must also be complete, as leaving out any small detail could cause product or process failure.
Flexibility
NDT technicians perform tests in many different industries. They must be flexible and adhere to testing styles, whether its magnetic particle testing, liquid penetrant testing, radiographic testing, ultrasonic testing, visual testing or acoustic emission testing. Each product and process must follow its own unique NDT protocol, and technicians must be flexible and intuitive to choose the proper testing matrix.
Continuous Learning
In addition to flexibility, performing tests in many different industries means NDT technicians need to continuously learn. Each product or process has its own attributes that require testing. NDT technicians must continue to learn about new products, unique materials, testing protocols and measurement procedures. Technicians may be testing the windshield glass for an automobile one day and the glass for a building’s window the next. Each requires multiple safety concerns and unique testing procedures.
How Long Is an NDT Program?
At MIAT College of Technology, our Non-Destructive Testing Technician training program can be completed in as little as 9 months. Courses in the program help prepare students to enter the field as Level I NDT technicians, while continuing education can help them advance to become Level II NDT technicians.1 Each increase in level has its own requirements and comes with additional responsibilities.
The NDT program at MIAT provides hands-on training, practical experience and industry support. Classes are led by industry-experienced instructors offering one-on-one attention. Non-destructive testing is completed by students in real-life scenarios, and plenty of hands-on experience is offered throughout the program.
MIAT even offers career services to help students find jobs after graduation.1 Our Career Services team helps support graduates with résumé building, interview preparation and job matching. After more than 50 years in technical career education, MIAT has built an excellent reputation and strong relationships with many industry leaders.
Final Thoughts
Do you have the skills to be an NDT technician? The good news is that you can hone your skills through the NDT Technician training program at MIAT. We can help you lay a foundation that you can build upon throughout your career as an NDT technician.1
Non-Destructive Testing Technician Diploma Program
The Non-Destructive Testing Technician diploma program from MIAT College of Technology provides the hands-on training, practical experience and industry support it takes to pursue a technical career.1 Non-Destructive Testing Technician (NDT) diploma classes are led by dedicated instructors who have years of experience working in a professional setting. You’ll get one-on-one attention and personal support to pick up new skills quickly, as well as firsthand technical knowledge to feel confident about your future.
To learn more about the Non-Destructive Testing Technician program and to explore whether MIAT is right for you, fill out the form on this page. Contact us if you are interested in training to become a non-destructive testing technician.
1MIAT is an educational institution and cannot guarantee employment or salary. For program outcome information and other disclosures, visit miat.edu/disclosures.