Trainee Building Inspector | Full Time / Fixed Term Programme | London | £27,500 – £31,500

LABC is recruiting a Trainee Building Inspector to join its LABC Academy programme.

This is a two-year, fully funded training programme. You will earn while you learn and gain practical experience in a local authority building control team.

The programme starts in September 2026. The current location listed is the London Borough of Islington, N1 2UD. However, this is advertised on behalf of an external organisation and there is no guarantee that successful applicants will be placed with Islington Council.

During the programme, you will work towards Level 4 and Level 5 diplomas in building control surveying. The training is fully funded, so there is no student debt to pay back. Which is almost suspiciously sensible, given how humans normally design career routes.

On completion, you will have the skills, qualifications and experience needed to work towards becoming a Registered Building Inspector. You may also be able to progress towards becoming a Chartered Surveyor or Building Engineer.

Key Responsibilities

• Support building control work: Assist with building control surveying activities.
• Work with designers: Help designers understand and meet Building Regulations.
• Work with contractors: Support contractors to achieve compliance.
• Inspect works: Assist with inspections of building work.
• Support investigations: Help with technical investigations.
• Support dangerous structure work: Assist with dangerous structure call outs.
• Gain site experience: Travel to sites within your local authority area.
• Complete study: Work towards Level 4 and Level 5 diplomas.
• Learn on the job: Gain practical experience with a local authority building control department.
• Work with a mentor: Learn from an experienced local authority mentor.
• Build competence: Develop the knowledge needed for a career in building control.

About You

LABC is looking for technically minded candidates who enjoy problem solving and want a career in construction.

You will need one of the following:

• A levels: At least 3 A levels at grade C or above, or equivalent, worth 80 UCAS points.
• Relevant experience: Experience in a related field, such as construction, ex-military, fire or another relevant discipline.
• Level 3 qualification: A Level 3 S/NVQ in construction or a related subject.

You should also have:

• Interest in building control: A real interest in buildings, safety and construction.
• Problem-solving skills: Ability to think through technical issues.
• Willingness to learn: Motivation to complete a two-year training programme.
• Communication skills: Ability to work with local authority teams, designers and contractors.
• Organisation: Ability to balance study and work.
• Driving: A full driving licence, or be working towards one by the employment start date.
• Site readiness: Ability to travel to sites in your local authority area.

What LABC Offers

LABC offers:

• Salary: £27,500 - £31,500, depending on experience.
• Hours: 35 hours per week.
• Training programme: Two-year fully funded LABC Academy programme.
• Qualifications: Level 4 and Level 5 diplomas in building control surveying.
• No student debt: Funded learning with no course fees to repay.
• Hybrid working: Usually 2 days home-based learning or study and 3 days on-the-job training.
• Local authority experience: Practical placement with a local authority building control department.
• Salary increases: Regular increases after successful education and competence milestones.
• Support: Dedicated LABC coordinator during your employment.
• Mentoring: Daily support from an experienced local authority mentor.
• Annual leave: 26 days plus bank holidays.
• Pension: Private pension with 4% employer and 4% employee contribution.
• Season ticket loan: Support with travel costs.
• Laptop: Equipment provided.
• Career route: Training and experience to support progression towards Chartered Surveyor or Building Engineer status.
• Development value: Training investment worth over £10,000.

About LABC

LABC represents local authority building control teams in England and Wales.

It has already recruited and trained 200 people through its academy route. The LABC Academy helps new entrants gain the skills, knowledge and qualifications needed for a career in building control.

The programme gives trainees a mix of formal study and practical local authority experience.

How to Apply

Apply by 15 June 2026 at 23:59.

The application process includes:

• Initial application: Submit your CV to Opus.
• Follow-up questions: Opus will contact you with extra questions to complete your application.
• Assessment centre: If shortlisted, you will be invited to an assessment centre on 22, 23 or 24 June in Birmingham.
• Offer stage: Outcomes will be shared within one week of the assessment centre.

All offers are subject to satisfactory references and a clean DBS check.

This vacancy is advertised on behalf of an external organisation. It is not an Islington Council vacancy. Islington Council’s recruitment team cannot provide more information or support with applications.

Application Tips

For this Building Inspector trainee role, focus on your interest in construction, building safety and problem solving. Show that you can learn technical information and apply it in real situations. Mention any experience in construction, fire, military work, maintenance, surveying, design, customer service or site work. Make your CV clear and include your qualifications, work history and any practical skills. The assessment centre will likely test how you think, not whether you can produce a heroic essay about “starting an exciting journey”.