What To Do Now? Building Inspector Career Training

Building and home inspectors provide important functions to residents. They make sure that safety codes are met, and check that all systems are working properly in houses or buildings. If you are interested in this kind of work, you could improve your skills through retraining, such as through online building inspector training courses.

Career Skills of Building Inspectors

There are numerous sub-specialties in the building inspector field, including fire inspector, home inspector, plumbing inspector, mechanical inspector, and public works inspector. Depending on the specialty, building inspectors need to develop a wide array of career skills, the most basic being a good understanding of building inspection codes and responsibilities, such as Federal guidelines established by the International Code Council.

Aspiring building inspectors should have an understanding of construction, an attention to detail, and be task-oriented.

Career Advice: Look to Retrain in Today's Economy

Today, more than four out of every ten building inspectors work for the government, typically at the local level. About 10% of construction and building inspectors are self-employed with the minimal educational requirements for this career varying depending on an individual's career path and goals.

Employers generally prefer that job candidates posses some form of post-secondary education like an associate's degree. A background in engineering and architecture can be useful to a building inspector and online building inspector training courses can help improve your skills in these areas. Courses in construction technology, mathematics, and drafting can also help you stay ahead of the competition.

With a good mix of experience, education, and technical understanding, individuals should have few problems joining this growing career field. If you have a background as an electrician, carpenter, or plumber, you might consider retraining in order to enter the building inspection industry.