On this week’s careers in construction, meet Anthony, President of LABC. LABC (Local Authority Building Control) represents all local authority building control teams in England and Wales. Anthony's focus for his presidential year will be on helping to ensure that all members throughout England and Wales are fully aware of the many consultations and initiatives that LABC are involved in, for example in fire safety, quality management and competency. We wish Anthony a very successful term as President of LABC!
1. Why did you choose your career path?
My father was a car mechanic, he is a big role model for me. As a child, I remember being his assistant helping to repair his customer's vehicles, which inspired me into a career where things were to be built or repaired. It opened up the interaction skills obtained when you're dealing with different types of customers from all walks of life.
2. What did you study in school/university?
I left school with GCSEs ranging from Maths and English to Design Technology. I then proceeded to study Civil Engineering at Kingston University. My first role as a trainee Building Control surveyor was supported by my employer to study a second degree in Building Control Surveying at Westminster University.
3. What certifications are associated with your career?
There are a number of certifications/professional qualification in Building Control for surveyors. Professional membership of the following; Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Chartered Association of Building Engineers (CABE), Chartered Institution of Building Engineers (CIOB). Also LABC provides the following for our members to obtain the relevant qualifications, Level 6 BSc (Hons) in Building Control, Level 5 CIOB Diploma in Public Service Building Control, Level 4 CIOB Diploma in Public Service Building Control. There is also a Level 6 Fire safety validation certification for Building Control Surveyors working of High Rise Residential Buildings (HRRB's)
4. What advice do you have for someone looking to purse this career path?
A career in Building Control is very rewarding. The mix of working on a vast range of buildings, interacting with many different professionals within the industry and constant change in construction methods/working practices makes each day/project different. There is never a dull moment and no day is the same! You will learn to think on your feet, sometimes instantly and not be office based, which gets you out and around making an impact of the built environment.