Season 3 Episode 2: Non-Destructive Testing - The Engineers Who Keep Our Technology From Failing

Impulse To Innovation

While the IMechE is recognised as a charitable organisation, you may not be aware that it does own a number of businesses. These 'wholly owned subsidiaries' have been acquired by the institution over many years and specialise in learning and development; providing training and expert knowledge to engineers all over the world.

One of these businesses is IMechE Argyll Ruane, a world-renowned Non-destructive Testing, Corrosion and Coatings Training and Consultancy, based in the heart of Yorkshire’s steel industry. Sheffield.

Non-destructive testing is an invaluable tool which enables engineers to look inside materials to find out if there are defects not visible to the naked eye.

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) acquired the Argyll Ruane in 2012. But the company itself has been serving the engineering community since 1985. During its 30 odd years, Argyll Ruane has certified thousands of engineers in different aspects of NDT, corrosion and coating examinations and testing, and issued over 15,000 qualification certificates.

The IMechE Argyll Ruane (IAR) Engineering Training Centre opened in August 2015 at the Sheffield Business Park, were some of the world’s leading engineering organisations are also based.

The training team, lead by general manager Chris Kirby, are a highly skilled group of engineers with over 150 years of experience between them, but they are also extremely proud to be passing that knowledge on to the next generation, and have several apprentices working in the team who hope to carry on Argyll Ruane’s impressive tradition.

Christian Beever Training engineers at IAR

In this months episode, Helen speaks to two of IAR’s training team, to find out more about the role they play in providing this invaluable service to the engineering community and what is involved in the training itself.

Christian Beever joined IAR as an NDT Apprentice and completed a 3-year NDT Engineering Technician Apprenticeship in August 2021. He is now fully qualified to teach students in PCN Level 2.

Mick Mullins is a Level 3 Consultant at IAR and has over 40 years’ experience in NDT. His role involves supporting clients to ensure their NDT departments are compliant with industry standards.

Mick Mullins teaching Magnetic Particle Testing

Useful Links:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nondestructive_testing

https://argyllruane.imeche.org/

https://www.imeche.org/about-us/our-wholly-owned-subsidiaries

https://www.imeche.org/careers-education/careers-information/apprentices

https://www.skillstraininguk.com/

https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/explore-your-education-and-training-choices?utm_source=google&utm_medium=search&utm_campaign=gtj_launch

We would love to hear your thoughts and comments on this episode. If you would like to get in touch, email us at [e-mail]

You can find more information about the work of the IMechE at www.imeche.org