News Article

College becomes top testing centre


12/19/2002 2:15:53 PM


John Mallow, left, explains the non-destructive testing program and testing centre to Carol Morrison, Joanne Clarke, and Susanne Ingram during the recent open house held at Port aux Basques Campus.

By MANDY RYAN
The Gulf News
(reprinted with permission)

December 19, 2002 – The Port aux Basques campus of College of the North Atlantic is the best centre in Canada for non-destructive testing examinations.

The Non-Destructive Testing Certifying Agency of the federal Department of Natural Resources in Ottawa gave the local testing centre the top ranking.

The agency selects the top training centre from the results of evaluations that are completed by students who become nationally certified at the 10 testing centres in Canada.

In all four categories, Port aux Basques was ranked first in Canada.

That gives the local campus bragging rights, according to Ted Janes, associate district administrator.

“This is now the best centre to do the test,” he said.

It also means that non-destructive testing technicians from all across the country want to receive their certification in Port aux Basques because of the testing centre’s reputation.

Aside from the regular non-destructive testing program that is offered at the college, the testing centre receives many students for short contract training and exams. So far, 210 people have gone through the testing centre in Port aux Basques.

“The testing is fairly complicated, a lot of preparation and instruction goes into this, and this is where we’re getting the favourable comments,” said Janes.

“Ninety-nine per cent of the credit goes to our instructor John Malloy. People are coming here because of his reputation in the industry. The institution takes the other one per cent of the credit.”

A nine-month non-destructive testing program has been offered at the college since 1987. It provides up to the second level of training in all four disciplines of non-destructive testing: magnetic particle, liquid penetrate, ultra sonic, and radiography. This year, 16 students are enrolled in the program.

Malloy is a third level technician in all four disciplines of non-destructive testing.

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Stephen Lee
Communications Manager
(709) 643-7929

or

Tanya Alexander
Public Information Officer
(709) 643-7928