Your invitation to PCN’s FREE Practitioner Day at BINDT’s Annual Conference

As the 2025 BINDT Annual Conference approaches, final preparations are well underway for the Practitioner Day presentations scheduled for Tuesday 9 September in Edinburgh. This year’s session promises to be an informative and forward-thinking series of presentations focused on the evolution of PCN certification in alignment with BS EN ISO 9712:2022.

The session has been carefully curated to ensure a logical progression of topics, beginning with an introduction to the session’s purpose and structure and moving through detailed discussions on certification developments, practitioner feedback and future opportunities within the PCN framework. The aim is to keep all stakeholders, from Approved Training Organisations (ATOs) and Authorised Qualifying Bodies (AQBs) to candidates and committee members, informed, aligned and engaged throughout this year’s proceedings.

The preparation of the Practitioner Day reflects a collaborative approach, with speakers coordinating closely to ensure continuity and coherence. Each speaker brings a specific area of expertise, with the session structured to deliver both strategic insights and practical guidance. Whether discussing high-level certification developments, answering practitioner feedback or showcasing procedural improvements, each presentation has been designed to support the growth and clarity of the PCN Scheme for all stakeholders.

Session titles and content are as follows:

• 10.00-10.05 am – An introduction to the Practitioner Day: Sam Cunningham (Lavender International), serving as Chair, will open the session and provide a brief overview of the topics and speakers. He will also facilitate a panel session where guests will have the opportunity to present their questions to participating panel session members.

• 10.05-10.35 am – PCN24 certification: Patrick Boulton (Senior BINDT Technical and Certification Engineer) will outline the development of the updated PCN24 certification scheme, focusing on its compliance with ISO 9712:2022, United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accreditation and the new ‘product technology’ online training module.

• 10.35-11.05 am – Answers to PCN practitioners’ comments: Howard Garlick (BINDT Technical and Certification Engineer) will respond to feedback received through BINDT’s Practitioner Committee, by incorporating and facilitating discussion directly from input provided by Kyle Duncan. 

• 11.05-11.35 am – Refreshed guidance for FAQs and application forms: Jennifer Cook (Certification Manager) will explain updates to the BINDT FAQs page, highlighting improved clarity and usefulness, and will walk through key application forms (for example CP16 and PSL30) with worked examples.

• 11.35 am-12.05 pm – A look into the future of PCN certification: Joe Heigold (BINDT Technical and Certification Engineer) will explore new directions in certification, including the issuing of Level 1 certification when Level 2 practical industrial experience cannot yet be demonstrated. He will also address the removal of standards lists from PCN documents and propose the future introduction of a mathematics module where mathematical ability cannot be verified by prior education.

• 12.05-13.05 pm – Panel session: A Q&A segment will take place where speakers will reconvene to address audience questions related to PCN24 certification and compliance with BS EN ISO 9712:2022.

The Practitioner Day offers a significant opportunity for attendees to gain a comprehensive understanding of the direction and updates in PCN certification, particularly in response to ISO 9712:2022. With clear communication, actionable insights and expert-led discussions, this session is poised to be one of the most impactful of the 2025 conference, with PCN’s goal remaining unified: to provide clarity, direction and transparency in the ever-evolving landscape of PCN certification.

Pre-registration is required to gain free attendance to the Practitioner Day. Visit the BINDT website for more information: www.bindt.org/events-and-awards/ndt-2025/practitioner-day-programme