CANdid Conversations: Dave Inness

At CAN Group we are people powered, and we are proud to shine the spotlight on how our teams work together and succeed together. Collaboration and teamwork are part of our guiding principles; it’s at the core of everything we do.

Dave Inness, a long-standing colleague, has taken the next step in his career journey by stepping into the role of Onshore Inspection & NDT Supervisor at our Aberdeen HQ. While the role may be new, Dave’s journey with CAN spans more than 18 years, providing valuable support across a variety of our operations.

Since starting his CAN career in our Base NDT department, Dave’s commitment to learning opened doors into other areas of work, including VENTEQ, CAN Group’s Vendor Inspection business stream. Reflecting on this, Dave takes us back to the beginning of his journey, where hands on experience and collaboration laid the foundation for his growth within the industry.

“I was working as a Radiographer in a test house in Altens but was interested in exploring career options offshore. A friend of mine, who worked for CAN at the time, made me aware of positions within their Base NDT department, and following an interview, I secured the position as a Base NDT Technician. I worked in the department for a few years, both on and offshore, and progressed into the role of Base Supervisor. At the time, my colleagues in the Vendor Inspection team required a witness test to be carried out and although I wasn’t aware of Vendor Inspection, I was suitably qualified to support RAD interpretation and helped them out one afternoon. Some might say I was in the right place at the right time, as within two weeks this transitioned into a full-time role and after a few months, I became the dedicated Vendor Inspector in 2011 for one of VENTEQ’s major clients.”

“Working within Vendor inspection involves Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC) checks of all items and equipment being sent offshore, including Pipework, Structural Steelwork, Valves (checks include visual inspection of welding & coatings, dimensional inspections, and documentation review of material certification, welding procedures etc.) and also what is classed as Temporary Equipment such as Diesel Engines, Pump Skids, Nitrogen Pumps & Tanks (checks include visual inspection, function testing and documentation review).”

“In my new role, I am looking forward to being based in the office again alongside my colleagues and combining my experience of Base NDT technologies and applications with Vendor Inspection to enhance our service offering to our clients.”

Dave gives us an insight into his role and explains how our Base NDT and Vendor Inspection departments work hand-in-hand to deliver success for our colleagues and clients. 

“CAN’s Base NDT department provides onshore NDT services including Radiography, Ultrasonic Testing, Dye Penetrant Inspection, Magnetic Particle Inspection, Positive Material Identification and Eddy Current Inspection. A broad range of Advanced NDT, Remote Visual Inspection (incl UAV surveys) and specialist inspection solutions are also provided by our in-house ANDT Team”.

“Base NDT and Vendor Inspection are quite similar in requirements but at different stages of the manufacturing process. NDT is typically carried out at fabrication stage, and Vendor inspection generally takes place once the product is completed. Part of the Vendor checks involve reviewing material certificates, welding procedures, NDT procedures and reports, so having an understanding of both NDT, gained through NDT qualifications, and welding processes etc., along with experience of seeing the items at different stages, is invaluable for unlocking synergies for growth between both departments.”

For more information about CAN’s Base NDT and Vendor Inspections services, please contact vendor.inspection@venteq.net