Nondestructive Testing Program at Avalos P-TECH School Featured in Industry Magazine

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Read excerpts from Jill Ross’ paper, which appeared in the September 2021 edition of ASNT’s journal, Materials Evaluation.

Students at Avalos P-TECH School complete coursework in applied physics for their Principles of Technology class. Students learn how each physics principle (force, work, rate, resistance, energy, power, and force transformers) plays a role in technology equipment and systems, and how these principles apply to nondestructive testing.

The article focuses on the resurgence of technical education and high schools like Avalos P-TECH School taking a fresh look at new learning pathways that lead directly to the workforce, including the nondestructive testing (NDT) industry.

Millions of Jobs Requiring Only a High School Diploma Have Disappeared

The programs at Avalos directly connect high school curriculums with post-secondary education and employment. Technical education schools offer “new collar” jobs — jobs that require a post-secondary degree, although not necessarily a four-year degree.

Today’s career and technical education encompass a wide variety of industries and skills. Students are learning to code software, design websites, or operate robots and artificial intelligence systems that have replaced manual labor jobs across much of the economy. Through new technical and career programs, high school students have the opportunity to learn valuable skills, gain job experience and support from participating sponsor companies and mentors, and complete coursework to graduate with a high school diploma and, often, an associate degree as well.

Nationwide/Industrywide Dilemma

• Nationwide, more than 600,000 skilled jobs are going unfilled right now owing to a lack of qualified workers.
• Between now and 2025 more than 2 million manufacturing jobs will go unfilled in the United States
• The same situation exists in both the building trades and healthcare fields.
• Between now and 2029, the nation’s skilled workforce shortage will worsen significantly as the remaining Baby Boomer generation hits retirement age.

Nondestructive Testing (NDT) at Avalos P-TECH School

NDT is one of several programs offered at Avalos P-TECH School, which was built with funds from the 2015 Bond. The school, which shares the building with Lone Star College-East Aldine Center, opened in 2019.

NDT workers are aging out of the workforce. As these individuals move toward retirement, the industry is poised to lose valuable knowledge that comes from years of training and hands-on experience.

NDT encompasses many industries: spacecraft, aircraft, trains, pipelines, power plants, turbines, naval ships, submarines, and all manner of bridges and construction equipment. With few exceptions, every critical thing manufactured requires initial and, in some cases, continuing inspection.

According to Robert L. Thomas, program director in career and technical education, stated that NDT was selected as an option for students after meeting certain requirements like job demand and the support of CTE advisory council members like Jerry Fulin.

Thomas added that Houston is central to many industries that need NDT, like George Bush Intercontinental Airport and the Houston Ship Channel, plus numerous other industries including oil and gas. Additionally, there was already a well-established and respected NDT AAS program available at Lone Star College, a longtime district partner.

For the inaugural 2019 class, 30 students were placed in the NDT program. So far, the program only lost two students, showing high interest among the students.

Student Opportunities at Avalos P-TECH School

Avalos P-TECH School students have access to mentors, internships, workforce skill workshops and job shadowing from their industry of interest. Industry partners for the program include DRILCO, IMI Critical Engineering, ITC Innovative Turnaround Controls, Brown & Root, KBR, Oceaneering, Schlumberger, Oceanscan Inc., Bechtel, Goodman-Daikin, and the Greater Houston Manufacturers Association. Avalos P-TECH School is one of Aldine ISD’s Choice School options.

The full NDT program is offered at LSC-North Harris in Houston, Texas, where students can earn the inspection technology specialization AAS degree along with certificates. Programs are stackable: for example, Level I and Level II certificates may be applied toward the AAS degree.

For the complete story by Jill Ross, click here.