The challenge of attracting young talent to the world of Nondestructive Testing
Garry Liming is an important figure within the American Society for Nondestructive Testing (ASNT), where he has accumulated nearly two decades of experience. Her track record in various positions has allowed her to promote the visibility of the industry from multiple perspectives. Currently, as Director of Public Relations and Government Affairs, she integrates strategy, legislation and education with the fundamental goal of positioning Nondestructive Testing as a viable and crucial career path for social security.
Shortage of NDT professionals worries the industry
One of the central points addressed by Garra Liming is the generation gap facing the industry, characterized by a more accelerated outflow of technicians than the inflow of new talent. This trend, although shared with other technical professions such as hospitality or medicine, has a particularly critical impact on NDT, as it directly affects essential infrastructures such as aircraft, bridges and industrial plants.
The situation is exacerbated by demographic studies that point to a general decline in the availability of young labor in the United States. Against this backdrop, Liming has set as one of its main objectives to raise awareness of the importance of this career to attract new generations.
ASNT focuses its efforts on training and outreach
To meet this challenge, ASNT has deployed a comprehensive strategy that combines educational initiatives, institutional lobbying and presence at techno-scientific events. The organization actively collaborates with school counselors, teachers and parents in order to present NDT as a solid and in-demand career option.
During a STEM event held in Orlando, Garra shared his experience in outreach to children and young people, explaining that they easily understand the value of this profession when they are given the analogy that, just as an X-ray allows you to see a broken bone without having to open your arm, NDT allows you to evaluate materials such as airplanes without having to damage them.
Legislation, technology and education as strategic pillars
Liming's work is not limited to outreach, as through her presence in Washington D.C. he interacts directly with legislators to position NDT as an issue of public concern. In these interventions, he argues that it is fundamentally about safety, stressing that no one wants to
In parallel, ASNT has established a working group specialized in emerging technologies, based on the CET (Critical Emerging Technologies) list published by the US government. This space is dedicated to analyzing the role of NDT in sectors of high strategic value and to assessing the impact of disruptive tools such as artificial intelligence.
A future that depends on visibility
Despite the challenges, the outlook for NDT is one of growth. "NDT is everywhere, chairs, airplanes, buildings, bridges; it is invisible but essential, our job is to make it visible," summarizes Garra Liming.
With initiatives aimed at early training, institutional partnerships and an effective communication strategy, ASNT seeks not only to attract talent but also to consolidate an industry that plays a fundamental role in the safe functioning of society.
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Source: Inspenet.
