The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has launched a 10-month short course for building inspectors, says Professor Jeffrey Mahachi, Head of School: Civil Engineering and the Built Environment at UJ.
The programme is tailored to equip students with valuable hands-on experience in building inspections, and thereby effectively addressing the critical shortage of skilled professionals in the field. A shortfall of 30 000 to 50 000 qualified professional building inspectors was flagged in 2014 by the NHBRC, Mahachi points out.
This initiative directly addresses the pressing need for inspectors capable of assessing building plans, inspecting construction sites and evaluating existing structures to ensure compliance with building regulations.
“The programme’s central mission is to ensure learners acquire the essential skills and knowledge required to become adept building inspectors, ultimately enhancing the quality and safety of building projects in South Africa.
“It represents a collaborative effort with a consortium of public and private sector partners who share a common goal of elevating the standards of the building industry,” says Mahachi.
Applicants to the course should hold at least a NQF 6 qualification in relevant disciplines such as architecture, civil engineering, quantity surveying, construction management and building science.
Those who are already employed as building inspectors must have a minimum of two years of verifiable work experience, while unemployed graduates must complete a 60-hour workplace-based learning component to gain vital practical exposure.
Hands-on training is made possible through collaborations with the university’s public and private sector partners – municipalities in particular.
Read more: https://m.engineeringnews.co.za/print-version/uj-launches-building-inspector-short-course-to-meet-evolving-industry-needs-2023-11-03 https://news.uj.ac.za/news/elevating-building-inspection-standards-in-south-africa-ujs-building-inspector-programme/
