The Welsh Government has extended the grant funding for recruiting and training new building control surveyors in Wales to more than £1.2 million.
The announcement follows a successful first round of funding in 2023, which added resource in Welsh local authorities. This saw six new building control surveyors entering the industry. Three trainees were paid for by the Welsh Government, with Local Authority Building Control (LABC) match funding three more.
LABC represents all local authority building control teams in England and Wales.
LABC, which has a network of around 3,000 technical surveyors and support staff, delivers the training via the LABC Academy. Designed to increase capacity in building control, the Academy has trained over 150 new surveyors throughout England and Wales since 2023.
LABC’s Chief Executive, Lorna Stimpson, welcomed the latest support from the Welsh Government.
“With our first cohort nearing the end of their training contracts, it’s time to bring the next wave of talent through,” she said.
“This funding will help us to keep the momentum as we continue to work closely with local authorities to increase capacity in building control, through a structured programme of work experience and learning.
“Some of the trainees have already finished the process, becoming accredited and a third of trainees have secured permanent local authority jobs ahead of their LABC contracts ending.”
A Welsh Government official said:
“This is an important next step in ensuring the safety and quality of our homes. Our work in this area with LABC has already been successful, and the funding extension will provide further opportunities for people to join the industry, adding much needed capacity within building control in Wales.”
To find out more about LABC’s training and qualifications visit: www.labc.co.uk/professionals/training
