Dale O’Reilly

Dale is the ICorr & Business Systems manager at Argyll Ruane.  

Dale has a background in business operations, HR, learning & development, and project management, which were developed working for a FTSE100 company and as an independent contractor.   

He has been with us for 5 years and has taken on various roles in that time to support the development of the business including implementing new systems, online learning, and the day-to-day running of operations in Sheffield. 

In 2023, Dale progressed to the role of ICorr and Business Systems Manager. This change in role was to help continue the success of the Coatings courses that we run both globally and in the UK, whilst continuing to manage the online learning team and maintain/develop our internal systems. 

How did you first hear about the NDT industry?  

My first introduction to the NDT industry was when I was first approached for the job at Argyll Ruane. I was new to the industry and knew nothing about it. The role I took on to implement new systems then subsequently develop online learning content ended up giving me large amounts of knowledge of the industry in a short period of time. 

What do you enjoy about working for IMechE Argyll Ruane / in the coatings industry? 

I enjoy the diversity of what we do. We’re a small business, you don’t just sit in your lane and work in a silo. We all work as a team with the same goals in mind. The people that we work with are amazing and we’ve formed an incredible team around us. 

The Coatings Inspection/Application Industry is quite substantial and has a lot of areas that aren’t being covered completely. There is a huge safety risk and can cost organisations billions when something goes wrong. I love knowing that we help train the most competent of inspectors who then go into industry and have an impact. 

Top tip for anyone entering the coatings industry or interested in working in systems? 

There are various routes to enter the coatings industry. The quickest way, and can be done by anyone at any age, is to sit on an Industrial Coatings Applicator course and work as an applicator for a couple of years. You’d then have the experience necessary to completion a course to become an inspector. You can also go direct to becoming an inspector if you have enough experience in industry. We’re always open to have a chat with anyone who is interested in pursuing this career path. 

If you’re looking to pursue a career in systems, be it IT support, development or as a Business Analyst, you need to have a passion for technology. Studying and using tools available on the web you can rapidly grow your knowledge to then start a career. Typically, Junior roles are the best place to start. 

The fun stuff! What’s your favourite: 

Food: This is a tough question for me as cooking is one of my passions. I am a massive fan of South-East Asian and South Indian cuisines though. If I had to pick one, it would be a Curry Tonkotsu Ramen with Chicken Karaage (Fried Chicken). Can’t beat it!  

Drink: I have a guilty pleasure for Coke Zero Vanilla. It’s just an all-round great drink, no matter the situation. 

Film, TV or book: This is another tough question as I love films and TV, not really a book fan though. I’d have to say one of my favourite TV series of all time is Fringe. If you like XFiles and anything Sci-Fi, you’d love it. 

Holiday: My favourite holiday has to be Las Vegas, I’ve been 5 times in total and enjoyed every time for different reasons. Worth a visit if you’ve never been.