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Hi Phil, could you tell me how you got into the NDT world and became an instructor?

I first got involved in NDT when I worked at Edgar Allen Foundry back in 1988 inspecting customer returns within the metallurgical test laboratory. When the foundry closed down and became the car park of Meadowhall shopping centre I moved to another company within the group initially as an NDT trainee in UT, MT & PT methods. I became ASNT Level III certified 22 years ago whilst working for the aerospace division of Sheffield Forgemasters and when a vacancy for a Level 3 consultant here at Argyll Ruane became available, I took the opportunity.

Which areas of NDT do you cover and how long have you worked for Argyll Ruane?

I have worked the Level 3 Services department for 19 years this July. The job is extremely varied and covers training, examinations, consultancy both here in Sheffield and on-site at our client’s facilities.

The methods I cover are ultrasonic testing, magnetic particle testing, penetrant testing, visual testing, infrared & thermal testing, welding inspection as well as the aerospace materials evaluation methods hardness testing, electrical conductivity testing, anodic flaw detection and acid etch inspection .

What do you like about teaching?

The variety of the work and getting to work on-site at some very interesting facilities such as a mine in Portugal, military bases in Germany and a submarine building facility here in the UK. I get to see parts of the world through work that I probably would not have got to see such as Iceland, Malaysia and Qatar .

Bonus Insight

• Likes : Driving my 1989 5.3 litre V12 Jaguar XJ-S convertible (don’t tell extinction rebellion!)
• Dislikes : Sprouts