The need for building inspectors in California will increase by nearly 15 percent from 2008 through 2018, resulting in the creation of around 1,700 new jobs, predicts the California Employment Development Department. Although California does not require building inspectors to gain licensing, some municipalities, cities and townships mandate that inspectors have formal training prior to conducting inspections in their localities. Employers also tend to prefer applicants who have received formal training from one of the vocational schools for building inspectors located in California.
Contractors State License Services
One of the largest vocational schools for building inspection in California is Contractors State License Services. The school began in 1985 and operates from 33 locations across California. Licensed through the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, the school has educated more than 120,000 since its opening as of 2011. For building inspectors, Contractors State License Services offers classroom courses for both residential and commercial inspecting. Although government financial aid is not available to students, the school offers a scholarship program. Its courses are also approved for vocational rehabilitation grants from California for individuals with disabilities who are looking to enter the workforce.
Avis Contractors License School
Avis Contractors License School is a private vocations school with five locations in California: Bellflower, Garden Grove, Lawndale, Sun Valley and West Covina. The school offers both residential and commercial construction training. Students have the option to attend classes at one of the school's campuses or to participate in a self-study program. These courses include workbooks and textbooks that allow students to complete training at their own pace. Financial aid and scholarships are not available for students at Avis Contractors License School. Major credit cards are accepted to cover the cost of courses.
Public Colleges
As of January 2011, 11 of California's public community colleges offered programs in building inspection, according to the California Employment Development Department. Some schools, like Butte College in Oroville offer programs through their continuing education course offerings. These classes generally have open enrollment and do not provide college credit. Financial aid is usually not available for these types of programs. Other colleges, like Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, have full associate degree or professional certificate programs in building inspection. These courses of study last for one or two years and generally qualify for federal and state financial aid, such as loans, grants and work-study placements. Job placement assistance is provided by California's community colleges.
Other Private Schools
As of January 2011, 16 additional private vocational schools in California offered building inspection programs, according to the California Employment Development Department. Many of these schools offer distance education options like workbook-based and online classes in addition to offering classroom courses. Some private building inspector schools are branches of nationwide training providers, such as Kaplan Professional Schools or the American Home Inspectors Training Institute. Others, like Budget Contractors School in Palm Desert and Temecula, are individually owned, local vocational schools. Typically, financial aid is not available for programs at these private institutions though some participate in private student loan programs. Most accept credit cards and may offer payment plans to help students manage the cost of tuition.
Tags: building inspection, vocational schools, Avis Contractors, Avis Contractors License, California Employment, California Employment Development, Contractors License
