Earn while you learn: become a building control apprentice

With a growing shortage of experienced building control professionals, UCEM’s Building Control Surveyor Apprenticeship is helping to build a stronger future for the industry.

The shortage of qualified building control surveyors has become an increasingly urgent issue, exacerbated by early retirements and career changes across the sector. In response, academic institutions like the University College of Estate Management (UCEM) are playing a pivotal role in developing the next generation of professionals.

One of only two programmes of its kind, UCEM’s Level 6 Building Control Surveyor Degree Apprenticeship is a four-and-a-half-year course that combines full-time employment with structured academic study. Apprentices work with their employer throughout the programme, while undertaking seven hours of off-the-job, online study each week. UCEM supports learners with a dedicated apprenticeship team and an Apprenticeship Outcomes Officer to track progress.

To earn the BSc (Hons) in Building Control, apprentices must complete 360 credits, including a final end-point assessment – all while earning a salary.

“Degree apprenticeships are built around knowledge, skills, and behaviours,” explains Jon Hubert, Programme Leader at UCEM. “We provide the knowledge, employers develop the skills, and behaviours are a shared responsibility.”

UCEM has been involved from the start, helping to establish the Building Control Trailblazer Group in 2017. Its first cohort began in 2019, shortly after the Grenfell tragedy, which triggered far-reaching legislative change. The Building Safety Act 2022 continues to shape course content, particularly in specialist modules.
Hubert highlights how the evolving role of building control professionals is reflected in the curriculum: “It’s no longer about offering guidance – it’s about compliance. That shift is embedded in the programme.”

One apprentice, Zoe Witts, joined UCEM via employer Salus Building Control Approvers. Originally an administrator, Witts is now entering her third year. Salus Associate Director Philip Castagnette, a CABE assessor and experienced surveyor, is closely involved with her development.

“In my day, employers were far less engaged with the academic side,” Castagnette notes. “Now, I get regular updates from UCEM on Zoe’s progress. That allows us to bridge any gaps between work-based experience and academic learning through targeted CPD.”

Castagnette says more employers are now actively “growing their own” talent, and that apprentices come from increasingly diverse backgrounds – from carpentry to site management.

Under today’s stricter regulatory framework, apprentices like Witts are not allowed to conduct unsupervised inspections until reaching Class 2A. Still, Castagnette says she’s gained enough competency to start leading inspections with support.

“She’ll prepare the plan check, then we’ll go through it using interactive documents. It’s a collaborative process that highlights any areas needing further development,” he explains.

UCEM’s programme is not only helping to fill a critical workforce gap – it’s reshaping the way building control professionals are trained, with strong support from both employers and academic staff.

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