January

January is the start of the new academic year for NDT engineers, who can study either the BSc (Hons) or BEng (Hons) at the University  of Northampton. The BEng programme was introduced three years ago, allowing employers across the UK to send their staff on week-long residential training from Monday to Friday. This is typically four weeks in total, spread over the year, with an extra week for examinations during the summer. The BSc programme is based entirely on distance learning. For both degree courses, modules are waived if NDT approvals are already held, reducing cost to employers and sparing the student from repeating the same theory learning that has been taught at a BINDT-approved training school.

The first end-point assessment for an apprentice NDT engineer is due to take place this month, as this candidate has used prior learning to reduce what would have been a four-year programme. This flexibility from the Department of Education is ideal for employers who wish to take advantage of the funding that is available to them, as apprentices can be of any age. The learner is able to gain degree qualifications more quickly and seek Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status. The end-point assessment is an opportunity for the apprentice to take their assessors through their training pack (a comprehensive checklist is available on the BINDT website) and deliver a presentation that explains their technical project. The assessors review this evidence before awarding the apprenticeship and Incorporated Engineer status.

There is nothing to report for the other BINDT-supported apprenticeships (for example condition monitoring apprenticeships, Scottish NDT apprenticeships and nuclear welding apprenticeships) at the moment as we are awaiting input from various third parties on how to proceed.

Iain Baillie is with Lead Employer Rolls-Royce and is involved with the NDT apprenticeships scheme. He is also BINDT President Elect.

Comments by members

This forum post has no comments, be the first to leave a comment.

<< Back