David celebrates 50 years in NDT
08/10/2014
David John Davies, IEng FInstNDT FIAQP, started as an NDT apprentice in mid-1964 with a major steam generating equipment manufacturer (major power stations). David’s career path follows that of his father, who was an industrial radiographer at the same company.
David specialised in ultrasonic testing, receiving his first certification at the age of 18 in what was the Central Electricity Generating Board (CEGB), and also held one of the first CSWIP 3.6 ultrasonic certificates issued. His training included spells in the welding school, NDT research department and all of the major divisions within the company.
David’s experience in the first ten years included in-works and onsite inspection of a major steam raising plant, mainly for the 500 MWe conventional and 660 MWe nuclear power stations being built then. This work laid a sound foundation for the rest of his working life. He was taught by some excellent NDT inspectors with the backing of management, ensuring thorough training and a professional approach to the work in hand.
As work reduced (with the power station building programme coming to a close), David moved into the contracting field for the first time, with eventual progression to NDT Supervisor. Later, he joined other NDT contracting companies, with work in Germany and Japan, including a spell as Chief Inspector for a welding company.
A chance to join the team of examiners at The Welding Institute in Cambridge came along and David spent two years based out of the CSWIP office, which included travel to Europe and the Far East on their behalf, gaining valuable experience in examination schemes and methods.
An offer from Saudi Arabia meant a chance to add to his experience and David took up the position of country Level III with one of the largest NDT companies in the world. Whilst based in Saudi Arabia, he visited many of the countries in the Middle East, carrying out audits, training and certification at the various local offices.
This included periods as an NDT Manager in Saudi Arabia, an Office Manager in Abu Dhabi and running various projects within the area during periods of staff shortages. His service ended after a 14-month period attached to Saudi Aramco, setting up and running an NDT training programme for one of its divisions.
Moving back to the UK for a period in a training school, David was then asked to return to Saudi Arabia to work for one of the largest oilfield service companies in the world, again as a Level III and involved in a major upgrade of training and equipment capabilities. From here, David transferred to Indonesia with the same company for another Level III period, again updating training and methods of work.
Following the resignation of the Singapore-based Level III and Quality Manager, David then moved to Singapore and covered the Asia-Pacific region (including Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and China) from that base. During his five years in Singapore, David also managed an embedded NDT operation at a major equipment supplier and increased the revenue and profitability of the division.
Passing his 60th birthday on the far side of the world, he decided it was time to come home and a position at Argyll-Ruane allowed David to return to the UK.
David is still working in NDT after 50 years because he has a passion for it. He is endeavouring to pass on many years’ worth of accumulated knowledge to a new breed of inspector before he retires to spend more time with his family and devote more time to his hobbies.
“NDT has allowed me to visit many parts of the world, from deserts to swamps and rainforests, and access many places not open to the general public, working on items from submarines to supersonic aircraft. I have worked alongside many nationalities in many environments and increased my knowledge of NDT and the world in general and, overall, enjoyed every minute,” concluded David.
