Entrepreneurial welding inspector gets ahead with BS EN ISO 9712 certification from TWI
12/09/2016
A Chartered Engineer who left the UK’s power infrastructure company to set up his own business has taken the next step in his career. Robert Stamp spent much of his career working for the National Grid (Gas Division), before opting to become self-employed and establish his own company carrying out welding inspection for clients, including his former employer.
Alongside his welding inspection credentials, Robert is also an Authorising Engineer and Competent Person, as defined by the gas industry’s ‘Safe control of operations’ procedures. This puts him in the unique position of performing a dual role for complex gas operations involving welding. Robert first attended TWI training nearly 20 years ago. In 1997, he took the now outdated ‘ultrasonic operator’ course, before returning the following year for courses in welding inspection and magnetic particle inspection. Having subsequently taken courses in site coatings inspection, radiography and senior pipeline inspection, Robert is a TWI veteran and one of its most qualified students.
In May this year, he returned to TWI for his latest training endeavour: a course covering phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) of welds. With PAUT being increasingly sought by contracting companies seeking assurance that welds in their plant are sound, this latest qualification puts Robert in an even stronger position to win work.
It also supports the growth of his family business. Robert has two sons who have just graduated from university in engineering. They are following in their father’s footsteps, taking qualifications in conventional and advanced non-destructive testing to add to their degrees. With his latest certification, Robert is now qualified to supervise and sign-off his sons’ work, helping to ensure the long-term security of his business.
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