Training the next generation: UCEM’s Building Control Surveyor Apprenticeship

The Building Control Surveyor Degree Apprenticeship offered by the University College of Estate Management (UCEM) is one of only two programmes of its kind in the UK. Amid growing concerns over the shortage of experienced building control inspectors, this apprenticeship provides a vital route to developing new talent.

In recent years, the profession has seen a decline in experienced professionals, many of whom have either retired early or moved into other industries. To address this, UCEM and other institutions are stepping up to build a pipeline of qualified building control surveyors with strong practical experience.

UCEM’s Level 6 Building Control Apprenticeship is a four-and-a-half-year programme. Apprentices spend most of their time working with an employer, while dedicating seven hours per week to online academic learning. This is supported by a dedicated team, including an Apprenticeship Outcomes Officer who tracks each student’s progress through regular reviews.

To achieve the BSc (Hons) in Building Control Surveying, students must complete 360 credits and pass a final end-point assessment. Crucially, they earn while they learn.

A three-way learning model

“A degree apprenticeship combines knowledge, skills, and behaviours,” explains Jon Hubert, Programme Leader at UCEM. “We deliver the academic content, employers provide the practical training, and behaviours are developed jointly.”

UCEM has been a key player in this field since the launch of the Building Control Trailblazer Group in 2017 and enrolled its first apprentices in 2019. The programme was developed in the wake of the Grenfell tragedy, and its structure continues to evolve in response to new legislation, including the Building Safety Act 2022.

Hubert points to recent changes in the role of building control surveyors, who are now expected to focus more on compliance than providing guidance. He notes that specialist modules are being updated accordingly.

“The entire profession has had to adapt,” Hubert adds. “We’re not just teaching technical knowledge—we’re also helping apprentices develop the soft skills they need to work effectively with clients and contractors.”

Strong employer support

The programme’s success also stems from high levels of employer engagement. According to Hubert, demand is so strong that students often find employers quickly if they apply independently.

Philip Castagnette, Associate Director and Registered Building Inspector at Salus Building Control Approvers, is one such employer. With 25 years of experience in the field, he’s seen a shift in how private companies are training their own professionals. Salus apprentice Zoe Witts, for example, was previously an administrator before moving into building control.

“There’s a wider range of people entering the field now,” Castagnette says, noting an increase in site managers and tradespeople retraining as building control surveyors. He also highlights how much more involved employers are today compared to when he trained. “It’s great to get updates on Zoe’s progress and work closely with her Apprenticeship Outcomes Officer.”

Practical experience on site

Alongside their academic work, apprentices gain hands-on experience through site inspections, with a growing emphasis on risk assessment. Regulatory changes now mean that early-stage apprentices must be supervised until they reach the appropriate qualification level, such as Class 2A.

Despite these restrictions, Witts has reached a point where she can begin leading inspections under supervision. She also assists with plan checks and participates in interactive document reviews that bridge the gap between academic learning and workplace practice.

“These discussions often highlight areas where her coursework hasn’t quite caught up with the practical demands,” Castagnette says. “We then use CPD to fill in any gaps.”

UCEM is a recognised academic partner of the Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE). To learn more about the Building Control Surveyor Apprenticeship, visit: b.link/UCEM_apprenticeship

This article originally appeared in Building Engineer, the official journal of CABE.