Engineering inspector?
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Discussion

crofty1984

Original Poster:

17,064 posts

233 months

Monday 6th November 2017
quotequote all
Hi all, I was thinking of a change of scenery. I've been in engineering (though mainly the commercial/service/inspection side) and was thinking of becoming a call-in inspector. Either for the ABS/Lloyd's type classification societies, or one of the big industrial insurance firms.
I've applied for one insurance/pressure systems job.
I was wondering if anyone had any advice or experience?
Thanks.

200Plus Club

13,443 posts

307 months

Monday 6th November 2017
quotequote all
We use specialist pressure systems engineers for boilers /pressure vessels annual inspections. Lifts are attended by lift specialists. Both types of insurance assessors are generally older guys with years of experience in their field. Unless you get in with someone willing to train you up i wonder if you have the correct experience?
For boilers certainly they tend to have extensive knowledge of the various types and makes, plus weak spots and failure points.

crofty1984

Original Poster:

17,064 posts

233 months

Monday 6th November 2017
quotequote all
Thanks for the advice. I've got 11 years in engineering, but admittedly half was on boilers but not hands on inspection. The other half is hands on inspection but not on boilers! Wrong mix I guess. smile
Maybe something like the classification societies would give me a better chance. From when they've been here it seems to be more signing off on showing we're following our own procedures correctly, rather than being a specialist on day 1.
I'll keep applying and see what I find.

Edited by crofty1984 on Monday 6th November 12:46

thainy77

3,347 posts

227 months

Monday 6th November 2017
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I've got a friend that worked for DNV and one that is currently working for ABS. They both say the same thing, over worked and under paid.

ABS in particular seem to recruit a lot of cheap, albeit qualified, labour from various parts of the world so you may struggle to get a foot in the door if your expected remuneration package doesn't correspond with this.

marksx

5,174 posts

219 months

Monday 6th November 2017
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I was told a while ago that RSA were short on inspectors, in both PSSR and LOLER. This was by one of their inspectors. Not sure if that is still the case.

Always seemed like a job I'd like to do. Don't have the qualifications though.

200Plus Club

13,443 posts

307 months

Monday 6th November 2017
quotequote all
marksx said:
I was told a while ago that RSA were short on inspectors, in both PSSR and LOLER. This was by one of their inspectors. Not sure if that is still the case.

Always seemed like a job I'd like to do. Don't have the qualifications though.
RSA went to the dogs, lots of inspectors retired plus numerous re-shuffles. they lost our contract on price, and havent got back on since. one of the guys was always moaning about their over booking him, and constantly being chased etc etc.
Bureau Veritas currently do all our work if that helps.

sooperscoop

408 posts

192 months

Monday 6th November 2017
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I'm Lloyd's, 21 years in.

It's not a good time, pretty much everyone is laying people off, shipbuilding is at a 30 year low, oil prices are killing the energy side. There are positions coming up constantly, but they are mostly being backfilled by staff from elsewhere who are underutilised.

We have though, I think, reached the bottom.

Ask any specifics about class societies or the industry and I'll answer if I can, but I'm working offshore and the net is spotty.

Lynchie999

3,627 posts

182 months

Monday 6th November 2017
quotequote all
... i know a bit about Allianz Insurance inspections ... (not an engineer myself) but worked on the support admin side of things...

elanfan

5,527 posts

256 months

crofty1984

Original Poster:

17,064 posts

233 months

Wednesday 8th November 2017
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Thanks for the kind advice all, it is appreciated.

thainy77

3,347 posts

227 months

Thursday 9th November 2017
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The below just popped up on my daily job openings email from LinkedIn, may be of interest OP.

https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/505951033/?aler...