I do believe some limited specialization is called for. However, I do agree it's gone to the nth degree. At one time I've had AUT, Delta, TOFD, Phased array, etc training, and throughout it all the one thing that remains constant is the basic physics and mechanics of UT. Boil all the bells and whistles away and it's all the same.
What disturbs me is the prevalent dependence on the machine rather than the human. Companies are spending reams of money training for these specialized applications and in the process, are forgetting the basics. For that reason, there are many who call themselves UT Level II's and some III's who without the machine, are totally lost. I equate this to modern computation. Even the people building the computer are relying on code written 20 and 40 years ago that they do not understand. All they know is this program works for a eprom, or other such thing. Ask them to code from the ground up, and they couldn't do it. It all goes back to the basics, and sadly, that is dieing at a faster and faster rate with the specialization/exclusionary certification mentality being the one twisting the knife in the heart of it all.
That in my opinion is true across the board. This recent push for API certs, the PDI program, and all others of their ilk will eventually drive the rates down when the market is saturated with people who are highly specialized in a limited market place. Their market may grow for years, but eventually it will suffer from supply and demand just like every other market. The more there are of them, the less they will make, and having spent all the time and resources in that specialization, they will wake up one day realizing it's the "only" market they fit in. A good example of this is what happened after 911 to the aircraft industry NDE techs and Level III's.
A knowledgeable general practitioner can fit in nearly any market, and goes back to the basic theory of diversification. Between the Tortoise (generalized) and the hair (specialized) history has shown slow and steady wins the race.
My opinion for what it's worth,
Gerald
I have to disagree with this view espically toward the API programs. If you look at the number of total inspectors and the increase over the last five years it is almost flat. In fact API is looking for a way to address what is to be done in the next 2 cycles whan a lot of the beginning 510 inspector begin to hit retirement age. If the knowledge and skills these guys posess go away. a BUNCH of industry knowledge is fixing to have to be re-discovered. I firmly believe that uppermanagement incompetence and fixation on the most work for the lowest cost and to be sure the people you do hire are treated as second class workers is dooming the United States petroleum/refining industry. Why spend money to train and utilize qualified workers when the whole thing can be done offshore whit acceptable industry death loss for much less $$$.
Do not kid yourself. While management will always say the employees are their #1 resource, if the cost of that resource gets too high they will look for a cheaper supply and if a new resource can be found, they will start using that and get rid of the one they have now.
Our business schools have turned out a bunch of plain stupid managers who equate certification to experience. I have several certifications and have been in the inspection business form many years. However, if one of these management morons is looking for someone with 20 years experience with API XXX and AWS/CWI they are in shock someone would demand a 6 figure salary. So API/AWS/ASNT/NACE comes up with these "experience" requirements. A company give a 25 year old with 1 year experience their blessing and notirizes the experience, sends the worker to Code West, they pass the test and they put the dummie out for 35 and charge the client 100 and everybody is happy. The company gets to cover thier butt they are hiring nationaly certified individuals, the inspection company gets to bump its bottom line because uit can charge more and the certifying organizations get to add the $$ to their bottom line and puff how they are helping the industry. Everybody makes money and they all give each other warm wet fuzzies.
BABRT's
Well, there are a few things we can agree on. A lot of current upper management couldn't find their butts with both hands, a road map, and a flashlight. The current mentality is to focus on the latest and greatest scheme for management while forgetting the "basics" of good customer service, a quality product, and a happy workforce. Now its more like You got what you asked for, it's good enough, and screw em.
However, you've made the point for me with this sentence:
"A company give a 25 year old with 1 year experience their blessing and notirizes the experience, sends the worker to Code West, they pass the test and they put the dummie out for 35 and charge the client 100 and everybody is happy. "
That is exactly what is going to happen to API, to AWS, and multiple others. I meet a CWI a couple of years ago that was 23 years old. Now with the 5 year experience requirement, that makes it kind of tough. This same kid was carrying a 570 cert. He was bragging about "making bank". I asked him what making bank was and he says to me, "don't tell anyone but I am hitting 30 and hour". Ok.. that's great for him, but when I asked what his background was he clammed up after mumbling something about UTT and working at his dads shop. I mean no offense to the younger generation, but 23 and acting like he's been around the world?? 5 years earlier he was going to the senior prom and dreaming about getting the 50 cent raise to head fry guy at McDonald's. I find it very very hard to take someone like that serious, card or no card. This kind of person is the vanguard of a wave of new kids who will displace those high paying old salts while the managers laugh all the way to the bank. He studied just enough to get past the test, and that was it.
One thing it won't change is this:
Unchecked greed is the root of the problem. There is nothing wrong with being a bit greedy or asking what your worth either as a company or an individual, but without a dose of humility, integrity, and honor everything else is a moot point.
By Bill M
Date 02-14-2008 14:06
Edited 02-14-2008 17:39
I have an ASNT Level III in UT. (by ASNT examination).
In order to do AWS D1.1 Ultrasonic weld inspection, and in accordance to the Code, I need to be qualified to level II (which has specific performance requirements). So do you level III's out there have to hire another level III to give you the level II practical test?