Rope Access Discussion

[oppenheimer]

Does anyone you know if you need to have a degree to get your offshore inspection engineers job?

I've fancied doing it for a while, got a stack of NDT qualifications; Ultrasonics 3.6, radiography, radiographic interpretation, welding inspector, magnetic particle / dye penetrant inspection, eddy current (l1only) etc etc

There are a couple of these jobs on the go at the moment but they are a bit sketchy on what is actually required. Will an HND do for most positions?

[Pablo]

[quote="oppenheimer" ] Does anyone you know if you need to have a degree to get your offshore inspection engineers job?

There are a couple of these jobs on the go at the moment but they are a bit sketchy on what is actually required. Will an HND do for most positions? [/quote]

No, it’s an accumulation of assorted certs & experience. MPI & LEEA will get you a start.

[wkdwelder]

Normally 3.9's get the job without a degree.

[oppenheimer]

Thanks for the advice guys. I think I'll go for it!really looking forward to having a change.

[steve]

Don't pay any attention to the above.

To be an OIE you have to meet the relevant UKAS RG 2 standard for the inspection of pressure systems.

There are 4 grades Cat 1, 2, 3, 4 (4 is also split into A and B).

Most companies require you to meet the RG2 Cat 4A level of competence. The more technical qualifications you have the higher your Category. CAT 1, is usually a chartered engineer, (degree in engineering plus a masters or equivalent, Cat 2 is an incorporated engineer, minimum of a foundation degree. The other 3 Categories you can achieve based on plant inspection qualifications, not NDT tickets. The classification of engineer is based on the Engineering Council, (UK), and requirements for competence. You also have to join an accredited society, like the BINDT, or TWI, who sponsor you to the engineering council. To start with an HNC and plant inspection quals should be sufficient to get you on the ladder. The options for plant inspection quals are the CSWIP course, or the API 510 or 570 courses.

Bottom line is you need more than just NDT, otherwise we would all be OIE's. Inspection engineers don’t normally carry out NDT, (if they can help it), that why they have NDT techs. NDT is a small part of an OIE’s job. Inspecting and reporting on pressure systems to relevant industry standards is their main job, NDT is done in support of these inspections. Plant inspection isn’t the same as NDT, just like Paint inspection isn’t the same as weld inspection.

My advice to you is, if you already don’t have one is go get an HNC in engineering to go with your NDT quals or go do the plant inspection courses. OIE's are classed as engineers and as such have a bigger responsibility than NDT techs.

Hope this helps.

ps, sorry I dont have more time to explain it more clearly.

[admin]

Steve,

That's a very informative post you just made, well written and concise, thanks for your input.

[MaverickUK82]

how would you go about getting a HNC?

[steve]

Your local college is the first place to start.

Ask about HNC's in engineering, either part-time or distance learning if you are offshore. It should take you anything between 1-3 years to complete, dependent on how much time and effort you put in. The next one up is an HND, add another 1-2 years, again dependent on how much effort you put in.

Also ask if the course you want to do is accredited to the Engineering Council UK, if it is it will help you down the line. Because it is accredited it is usually harder, they don't just hand the certificates out for nothing, there not TALON, only joking.

Next one up from HND is a foundation degree,

then a full degree

then a master degree.

If you were full time at college/Uni it would take you about 3-4 years for a full degree and then another 1-2 years for a masters, so you can see the effort you have to put in studying and earning a living.

One thing I forgot to mention in my last post is that although the other qualifications, (HNC/API/CSWIP), will help you move towards being an OIE, you will also have to have the right experience as well. No point in doing thickness checks for 5 years then expect to become an OIE because you have been away and done your HNC/Plant Inspectors quals.

The best way for NDT people to move up to OIE is to get on a regular slot, get your NDT quals up to a good standard, (PCN/CSWIP), my apologies to the ASNT people, get a lead tech's role, then go for your plant inspectors quals and an HNC, (hopefully with the backing of the company you are working for). If your lucky you'll get there in about 4-6 years on the right contract and with the right company. If that sounds to long then you should have went to Uni after school.

I know I wish I did, lol

hope this helps, sorry if it isn't clear enough or if some of the things I have said are not quite right but I'm pushed for time.

[MaverickUK82]

I found this link which you may find helpful...

http://www.ukas.com/Library/downloads/publications/Rg2ed1.PDF