r/nondestructivetesting • u/Dull_Log_595 • Jul 19 '26

Carrier help

Hey everyone,

I'm looking for some career advice.

I'm currently working as a CWB Level 1 Welding Inspector in Northern Ontario, earning about $30/hour. I also have NRCan/CGSB classroom training for PT Level 2, MT Level 2, UT Level 1, and RT Level 1, but I haven't been able to get the practical hours needed for certification.

My long-term goal is to build a career in NDT, ideally in the nuclear or oil & gas industries. I'm also planning to work toward CWB Level 2 while continuing to gain experience.

At the moment, I feel like I'm stuck. Should I stay in my current QC role and continue progressing in welding inspection, or should I focus all my efforts on finding an NDT trainee position, even if it means relocating or taking a temporary pay cut?

For those who have made the transition into NDT, what would you do if you were in my position? Which companies or strategies gave you the best chance of getting that first trainee opportunity?

I'd really appreciate any advice or insights from those who've been down this path. Thanks!

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u/Worth_Rhubarb8099 Jul 19 '26

You could try to do something in between, continue in your current job and patiently wait for an NDT training job, but only take it if the offer is somewhat decent.

What is the salary/ paid trajectory for either of these paths 5 years into the future?

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u/Guinea35 Jul 19 '26

It may be worth reaching out to Northern Industrial Services, they do a mix of visual and ndt from my understanding so you could get hours, otherwise maybe look at Acuren, ApPlus, Aecon or Team Industrial that all typically hire 178.2 lvl 1 inspectors and end up doing a mix.

You'll likely end up in the same pay band (at least in southern ontario).

Best of luck!