Product Technology goes live

Those of you with a keen eye will have noted a previous article released in the June 2024 issue of NDT News that provided information relating to BS EN ISO 9712’s requirements for aspirant PCN candidates to have prior knowledge of ‘Product Technology – materials and processes’ before their attendance at an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) for non-destructive testing (NDT) method training. With regard to this, BINDT released online learning material, produced in association with Wilkinson Coutts, on 12 May 2025.

In addition to this announcement, BINDT is also proud to inform the readership of the first successful course participant: Arthur Jones (BINDT PCN Exams Coordinator) recently enrolled on and successfully completed the approved course of learning (24 hours self-study), which culminated in his successful completion of the end-of-course assessment. Although Arthur is not from an engineering/NDT background, has limited knowledge of NDT and will probably not continue further study within an NDT method course, notwithstanding this he has satisfied the pre-entry requirements for product technology should he now ever wish to do so. In a quote from Arthur, he said when he was first approached to trial the learning material: “I was both nervous and apprehensive about the task I had been asked to complete; however, when I completed the self-study learning module I found the course to be enjoyable and informative.” I can confirm that the smile upon his face when he downloaded his end-of-course assessment certificate said it all and he was extremely proud of his achievement, as were we.

Currently, and as part of a wider scheme of verification and testing, the online/blended learning package for materials and processes has been restricted initially to those aspirant PCN candidates within the UK; however, and by the time this article has been published, it is anticipated that the learning material will have been released worldwide through our network of ATOs and Authorised Qualifying Bodies (AQBs). In reaching this goal, I have personally been involved in promotion of the product through participation at worldwide conference events, online Early Careers Branch meetings and at PCN Certification events for ATOs and AQBs, as well as providing articles within NDT News, where it is my aspiration that by successfully completing the online learning material it will raise the knowledge bar of all those candidates taking their first tentative steps within the world of NDT. However, having said this, we have also received enquiries from customers within the aerospace sector who would like their already certified individuals to participate on the learning course to reinforce existing knowledge for product technology within metals and non-metals (composite materials) product sectors.

This article has been produced to provide all prospective and current PCN certificate holders, working in any manufacturing and/or pre- and in-service sector (which includes manufacturing), with the latest information for product technology and inform them of the requirements to meet BS EN ISO 9712:2022 for third-party certification.