Building Quality Inspector careers guide

Building quality inspector job trends

What entry qualifications and training do you need for this job?

School, college and training

Many people get into this job by building work experience in the construction industry for a few years. There are no set qualifications to start out, but construction qualifications exist to help you stand out to employers and also help you build your knowledge.

Building quality inspectors can have qualifications like an HDN or HNC. You could also do a foundation degree or degree in subjects like:

• Construction
• Engineering
• Surveying

You may be expected to have a CSCS card (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) to work on a building site.

While at school, aim for at least four GCSEs or their equivalent with passing grades along the lines of 4-1 in subjects like maths and at least one science.

You could do a three-year degree course at a college or university, or make it a four-year sandwich course which would include a year-long work placement with an employer in the construction industry.

Working while you learn

An alternative route is to take your first step into the construction industry in a job like a construction operative or construction technician. You could then take an HND, HNC, or part-time degree.

An example construction qualification might be the level 2 Diploma in Site Inspection. In doing this course you’d learn about how to stick to health and safety standards, how to inspect property and planning, how to look over construction maintenance, and how monitor construction projects in general.

You may be able to arrange time off for study while you train with your current employer.

Apprenticeships

A number of employers offer construction apprenticeships suitable for those with GCSEs or the equivalent in five subjects including English, science and maths. On completion of the apprenticeship you will gain qualifications like an HNC in Construction or Building Surveying. You may also gain ACIOB status or equivalent qualifications, along with industry certificates in Site Supervisors’ Safety Training Scheme and Site Managers’ Safety.

While at school or college, speak to your careers advisor about useful training and/or courses for you to take and find out more about the types of career routes available.

Career progression and further qualifications

As a building quality inspector you could move into building surveying, civil engineering, site management or construction management.

You could also become a site inspection consultant by setting up your own business.

What experience do you need for site management jobs?

Work experience

To become a building quality inspector you’ll need previous work experience on a construction site. Aim to get construction work experience to build your CV as early as you can. This can involve:

• Work shadowing (even if it’s just for a day)
• Work placements in a company
• Work placements on a degree course

Volunteering

Ask any friends or family in the building trade if you can help them out on construction projects to get a feel for the work involved and how teams work together as a unit.

Look for volunteering opportunities that involve construction work – like renovating a community youth club.

What skills do you need for building quality inspector jobs?

Useful skills to highlight to your employer when applying for jobs as a clerk of works or building quality inspector include:

• Good organisational skills, which are an imporant part of self-management
• Project management skills
• An eye for detail and a logical approach to inspecting a site

Vocational qualifications and work experience will help you build these skills over time.

What does a building quality inspector do?

Knowing a little more about building and construction inspection will help you show employers that you understand what this job is about. It can also help you decide if it’s right for you.

Example job responsibilities:

• Check on any work carried out to make sure it matches project plans (sometimes you might be overseeing worker to do this)
• Checking the quality of building materials (this can involve taking samples and measurements)
• Keeping up to date with construction standards and health and safety regulations
• Suggesting ways to improve and fix any defects you find
• Communicating with contractors, engineers and surveyors so that everyone knows what is going on
• Making reports to clients, architects and construction managers.

Your first steps into building quality inspector jobs

To find jobs for young people in this role, search on job boards for building quality inspector positions with words like these in the title:

• Apprentice inspector
• Trainee construction inspector
• Entry level building inspector

Useful organisations and links for building quality inspector careers

• Go Construct - see more info on how to become a building quality inspector, and discover other careers in construction.
• Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) – Find out about Construction qualifications
• Institute of Clerks of Works and Construction Inspectorate (ICWCI) – Find out about Construction qualifications