From Houston, Texas during the ASNT 2023 annual conference, Richard Blaser from Inspenet had the pleasure of interviewing Tim Armitt, President of Lavender International, with nearly five decades of experience, have firmly established themselves as a pioneer in specialized NDT education.
Pioneers in NDT Education
“Lavender International has been a training school for some 47 years,” Tim begins, highlighting the institution’s track record and experience. The organization has had a presence in the United States since 2010, with a focus on advanced NDT training, especially in ultrasonic methods.
Innovation in Training
Lavender International’s specialty includes Phased Array and TFM training, with a unique course addressing high-temperature hydrogen damage, an area of expertise where they are pioneers worldwide. “In fact, we’re one of the few places that do it,” Tim points out.
A Global Approach with Local Roots
From its Houston office near NASA, Lavender International has traveled the world, bringing its expertise to every continent, tailoring its courses to the specific needs of its global clients. “We’ve traveled to virtually every continent and many locations,” adds Tim, highlighting the company’s extensive global footprint.
Classroom Training and Online Support
Despite believing strongly in face-to-face training, Lavender International also offers an online portal for its students. “We give them free access to it, and we use it as the online prelearning portal,” says Tim. This hybrid approach ensures that students are well prepared before attending in-person courses.
Engaging the Next Generation
Tim also talks about how to engage younger generations in NDT. “Not so much a struggle,” he says. In England, Lavender International participates in a national apprenticeship program that engages young people as young as 16, introducing them to the NDT field and cultivating their enthusiasm and passion for learning.
The website: https://www.lavender-ndt.com/
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