Getting started in NDT

Allen, if you could give one piece of advice to someone starting out in NDT, what would it be?

Never stop learning. I've been laid off once in my career, and I asked one crucial question: How do I get off this list? The answer I got—and the one I still live by is: Never stop learning!

The more certifications you have, the more diverse your skills, and the more valuable you become. And that applies whether you're just starting out or 30 years in.

You've worked in both the aerospace and oil & gas industries. How do those industries compare from an NDT perspective?

In oil and gas, you tend to get pigeonholed. You're a weld inspector, and that's your world. But in aerospace, you're suddenly inspecting titanium or aluminum castings. That's apples and oranges, and it takes a whole new level of training and understanding. There's more classroom time, more on-the-job training, and often OEM-specific exams. You can't just cross over and assume you're ready. In fact, sometimes it's easier to hire someone fresh and train them from scratch than to undo bad habits.

You're a big advocate for starting early in NDT. Can you share an example?

In Houston, there is a high school career technical program that has an NDT program for kids who are looking for an alternative to college. As part of the program, at the end of four years, they obtain an associate degree in NDT as well as the necessary classroom hours towards NDT certification. That gives them a huge leg up. Employers love it; these students are eager, educated, and ready to work.

They go through four years of high school and come out with an associate's degree in Non-Destructive Testing. That gives them a huge leg up. Employers love it; these students are eager, educated, and ready to work.

I also do outreach work as a volunteer through NDT Hero, which involves bringing students in for hands-on experience with real equipment, helping them see the impact and potential of a career in NDT. When I teach classes, I always say—non-destructive testing isn't just about the tool, it's about the material. You almost have to be a metallurgist. You need to know what you're looking at, how it was made, and what kinds of flaws it could have.

Certifications are essential, but what about managing your career long-term?

The service side of the industry often doesn't share those records with technicians. But I always told new hires: That OJT is your responsibility. I gave them copies, but what they did with them was on them. I still have my original OJT from 1995. My kids will probably throw it out when I'm gone.

Ultimately, your career is your responsibility. If you're serious about staying in this industry, document everything, every training hour, every technique. It's what future employers are going to ask for.

Let's talk about the future. What role do AI and automation play in NDT?

AI is coming. It will also help fill the gap left by the shortage of qualified technicians. But someone still has to audit the machine—and that's where I see the Level III technician playing a vital role. If AI flags defects before a human even looks at the image, we risk making technicians lazy. But used properly, say, comparing AI and human results, you get the best of both worlds. These kids today are growing up with AI in their pocket. However, they still require a solid foundation of knowledge - that's on us, as an industry, to give them.

I see a time, not in my lifetime, maybe, but a time when the radiography is done by a robot, the part is positioned automatically, the image is taken, and AI does the first pass. But we'll still need Level 3s to audit the process. That role doesn't go away, it gets more important.

Any last advice for someone thinking about getting into this field?

If you're willing to travel, you can write your ticket in this business. Look for employers who invest in your development. Be proactive about learning. Stay curious. That's how you grow, and how you stay valuable.