Building Construction Inspection

The Building Construction Inspection Program is designed to equip and prepare those enrolled to apply for the position of a building inspector. Candidates will gain vast knowledge of the responsibilities and duties one must perform as a building inspector or code enforcement officer, from effective communication skills, awareness of workplace safety requirements, to a deep comprehension of the intent of the building code and how it applies to both residential and commercial structures.

 

Upon successful completion of the Building Construction Inspection Certificate of Achievement, completers will be better prepared to take the International Code Council’s (ICC) Residential Building Inspector B1 examination, a national certification that is recognized in all U.S. jurisdictions. This is considered a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program which provides students with the skills required to safely and effectively be employed as a building inspector or code enforcement officer for Los Angeles Building and Safety (LADBS), Los Angeles County, or in other public and private settings.

 

A Certificate of Achievement is awarded upon completion of all required courses with a grade of C or better.

We are seeing an increase of completions due to offering more classes within each academic year, which started in 2019-20. Currently, we see around 9-16 completers. We are aiming to have between 20-40 completions each year, with potential for that number to continue to grow as program expands. 

		2017-18	2017-18	2018-19	2018-19
CB01: Course Department Number	CB02: Course Title	Annual # Sections	Annual Enrollment Total	Annual # Sections	AnnualEnrollment Total
BLDG 212	Print Reading for Construction	1	35	0	N/A Not Offered
BLDG 213	Building Codes and Standards	1	49	1	44
BLDG 214	Materials & Methods of Construction: Sub-Grade to Roof	1	34	0	N/A Not Offered
BLDG 223	Principles of Plumbing Inspection	1	47	0	N/A Not Offered
BLDG 224	Principles of Heating and Refrigeration Inspections	1	43	0	N/A Not Offered
ELTY 217	Electrical Inspection and Codes	2	70	3	91

Pasadena City College’s Building Construction Inspection program has been in close communication with the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) and Los Angeles County with the intent of creating a partnership to fulfill our respective institutional goals. Research has shown that there is a great need for skilled building inspectors. With construction trends still on the rise, LADBS needs to expand its current yield for construction inspection and other construction related matters. The other fact in consideration is the anticipated departure of a large number of LADBS employees leaving for retirement within the next few years, leaving a wide array of positions available.

 

This expansion will be done with great consideration of the recommendations set forth by our continued communication with LADBS and LA County. The newly appointed general manager and superintendent of LADBS, Osama Younan, has been advised by Mayor Garcetti to create a taskforce with the immediate goal of hiring specifically African American and/or women as building inspectors for LADBS. They are looking to partner with accredited schools interested that already have a construction inspection program in place. We have been asked to join this taskforce and help create a network for LADBS to select individuals with completed certificates of achievement for employment. This partnership will greatly enhance the likelihood of students becoming gainfully employed in the construction industry. We will work closely with them and will adapt our program to best serve these goals.

 

The attached documents have labor market data for jobs/careers in Construction Inspection. The data shows that jobs in the field are growing and the median compensation is higher than the entry level national average, with starting salaries ranging around 70K. Students will, upon successful completion of the Building Construction Inspection Certificate of Achievement, be better prepared to take the International Code Council’s (ICC) Residential Inspection certification exam and will be primed for employment as a trained building inspector or code enforcement officer. This is also the starting point for anyone generally interested in entry level career paths in the construction industry.

Student Learning Outcomes: 

1. Identify the training/educational requirements and describe the role of the construction inspector.
2. Describe and explain residential print reading and interpret the use of related local, state and international building codes used for construction.
3. Explain the purpose and intent of the building, grading, mechanical, HVAC, plumbing, zoning, electrical, legal requirements and the code enforcement process.
4. Demonstrate the methods, materials and the process of construction inspections from site preparation to the final building inspection.
5. Better prepared to take the International Code Council’s (ICC) Residential Inspection certification exam and will be primed for employment as a trained building inspector or code enforcement officer 

Based on labor market data provided, the Building Construction Inspection program addresses the following EMP institutional mission priority strategies:

1. Engage in college-wide comprehensive curriculum design and redesign to ensure viable degree and certificate programs

2. Collaborate with statewide agencies and partners to develop and/or sunset degree and certificate programs that are responsive to market needs

3. Align all degrees and certificates with appropriate workforce demand

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
BLDG 212	PRINT READING FOR CONSTRUCTION	3.0	S1
BLDG 213	BUILDING CONSTRUCTION CODES AND STANDARDS	3.0	S1
BLDG 214	MATERIALS & PROCESSES OF CONSTRUCTION: SUB-GRADE TO ROOF FRAMING	3.0	S1
BLDG 223	PRINCIPLES OF PLUMBING INSPECTION	3.0	S2
BLDG 224	PRINCIPLES OF HEATING AND REFRIGERATION INSPECTIONS	3.0	S2
ELTY 217	ELECTRICAL INSPECTION AND CODES	2.0	S2

In reviewing our current program setup, we noted inefficiencies that we aim to address. Primarily, we would like to decrease the amount of time it takes the average student to complete the certificate program. Currently, it takes a student enrolling in a minimum of 3 courses per semester between one and a half to two years to complete the Building Construction Inspection Certificate Program. Approximately 80% of students enrolled in this program also work fulltime jobs (in the construction field or otherwise). The current curriculum design is cumbersome and arduous for working adults. By simplifying the certificate completion requirements while also offering more pathways, we aim to avoid disenfranchisement and prioritize the success of our students

The listed community colleges below are those with similar programs. Despite the number of colleges offering building construction inspection, the LMI data shows that demand exceeds the current supply of awards conferred annually by education institutions in the region. Although they have the same top code, the colleges below do not offer a certificate that would be directly correlated with the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS) recommendations. The schools’ primary focus is general building construction and we are specifically aligning our program with the LADBS which will make our students more employable and prepared for a career in building inspection. Fullerton Civil and Construction Management Technology LA Valley Civil and Construction Management Technology Mt San Antonio Civil and Construction Management Technology Coastline Construction Inspection Fullerton Construction Inspection Saddleback Construction Inspection Mt San Antonio Construction Inspection

2017-2018 2018-2019 CB01: Course Department Number CB02: Course Title Annual # Sections Annual Enrollment Total Annual # Sections Annual Enrollment Total BLDG 212 Print Reading for Construction 1 35 0 N/A Not Offered BLDG 213 Building Codes and Standards 1 49 1 44 BLDG 214 Materials & Methods of Construction: Sub-Grade to Roof 1 34 0 N/A Not Offered BLDG 223 Principles of Plumbing Inspection 1 47 0 N/A Not Offered BLDG 224 Principles of Heating and Refrigeration Inspections 1 43 0 N/A Not Offered ELTY 217 Electrical Inspection and Codes 2 70 3 91