Mark Digby: Teaching SAINT

03 April 2017

Mark Digby has won SAINT’S Best Teacher Award. The submission by SAIW management to the Awards Committee says it all. Mr Digby, has been a very capable MT, PT, RT and UT lecturer since the late 80’s. He has held SAQCC-NDT and PCN Level 3 certification since 2000, with level 2 qualifications dating back to 1980.

While Mr Digby provides excellent training in all the NDT methods, his contribution to UT lecturing in particular should be praised and awarded.

The results of students attending UT classes presented by Mr Digby exceed a pass rate of 80% with the feedback obtained being very complimentary towards his style of lecturing as well as his ability to transfer knowledge and skills.

Mark was born in Manchester in 1961 (no he does not support them!), was schooled in S.A. matriculating at Sunward Park High School.

His post-school education looks a bit like a mathematical equation!

N3/N4/N5 Electro mechanical at Germiston Technical college;
Qualified Electrician with trade test at Olifantsfontein; NDT SAQCC Level 2;
UT, MT, RT, PT SAQCC Level 1;
VT, NDT CSWIP Level 2; UT, MT, PT, RT: PCN Level III; UT, MT, PT SAIW Welding Inspector Level 1;
SAIW Welding Inspector Level 2.
Wow!

Mark says he really got into NDT by accident and has never regretted it. With a few breaks here and there he has been at the SAIW for a total of 14 years. Ben Beetge offered him his first post in 1995.

When asked what his secret is to good teaching, Mark said he believes that all students’ needs are different and to be a good teacher you have to explain things well enough so that each individual is sure of understanding. It’s also
important to have a blend of theory, practical know-how, on the job experience and, above all, to create a situation where there is mutual respect between teacher and learner.

Mark has been married to Helen for 33 years and has four children – Christopher 31, Jonathan 28, Samantha 20 and Rachel 16 – and two grandchildren Luke 6 and Braydon 3.

Well done Mark!