- LABC Academy – hosted by Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils
-
Address: Ipswich, Suffolk IP1 2BX
-
Salary: Up to £27,500 per annum
-
Hours: Full Time, 37 hours per week
-
Contract: Fixed Term Training Programme for 2 years, required to start September 2026
-
Reference: 3681
Looking for an opportunity to earn while you learn and gain the qualifications needed to start a successful career in the construction industry?
Having already recruited and trained 200 people, LABC, the organisation that represents all local authority building control teams in England and Wales, is recruiting additional Trainee Building Control Inspectors to join their LABC Academy, starting in September 2026.
The LABC Academy Programme is a two-year fully funded programme that provides the opportunity to gain level 4 and level 5 diplomas in building control surveying whilst getting on-the-job experience with a local authority building control department.
Throughout the programme you'll earn a competitive salary and on completion you'll have the skills, qualifications and experience required to become a Registered Building Inspector as well as the opportunity to progress to become a fully qualified Chartered Surveyor or Building Engineer.
As a Trainee Building Inspector, you'll assist in delivering a range of surveying activities relating to building control, including working with designers and contractors to achieve compliance with building regulations, doing inspections of building work, assisting in technical investigations and responding to dangerous structure call outs.
You will be employed by LABC and based in a local authority close to you to allow you to gain practical experience.
Babergh and Mid Suffolk District Councils are one of our host local authorities and you would be based at Endeavour House in Ipswich.
Please note, this role will require regular travel to sites within your local authority. Therefore, you will need a full driving licence or be working towards having one by the employment start date.
What does the programme include?
-
Two years accredited learning, where you will earn your level 4 and level 5 diplomas in building control surveying. As a funded programme you will have no student debt to pay back.
-
Hybrid working approach with a 35-hour work week mainly consisting of two days home based learning/study and three days on the job training with your assigned local authority (with five days in your local authority outside 'term' time)
-
A competitive salary throughout the duration of the programme.
-
Regular salary increases following successful completion of education and competence milestones.
-
A dedicated LABC coordinator to support you throughout your employment with LABC.
-
An experienced local authority mentor who will meet with you daily
-
Training and experience to become a Chartered Surveyor or Building Engineer.
What do I need to join?
We're seeking technically minded people who like problem solving, are keen to learn and are looking to build a real career in the construction industry.
To apply you will need one of the following:
-
Minimum 3 A levels at grade C or higher (or equivalent 80 UCAS points)
-
Demonstrable experience in a relevant or related discipline for example but not limited to construction, ex-military, fire etc.
-
A qualification at level 3 S/NVQ in construction or a related discipline
What can we offer you?
-
26 days annual leave plus bank holidays
-
Private Pension with 4% employers' contribution and 4% employee contribution
-
Hybrid working (typically 2 days training and study at home, 3 days site based)
-
Season ticket loan scheme
-
35 hour working week
-
Laptop
-
Investment in your development as a Building Inspector through levels 4 and 5 diplomas over two-year Fixed Term Contract. This investment is worth over £10,000.
The application process
-
Initial application - Submit your CV to Opus. We'll then contact you with a few more questions to complete your application.
-
Assessment centre - If your application is successful, you'll then be invited to attend one of the assessment centres on 22, 23 and 24 June in Birmingham.
-
Offer -We'll notify you of the assessment centre outcome within one week. If you're successful, we'll then work with LABC to get everything ready for you to start your new role. Please note all offers are subject to satisfactory references and a clean DBS check.
For more information and to apply
Please visit the Opus People Solutions website for more details about this opportunity and to apply.
Closing date: 1pm, 18 June 2026
IMPORTANT PLEASE READ BEFORE APPLYING
To apply, please follow the application process detailed above.
This job does not have a Suffolk Jobs Direct online application form.
The ‘Apply Now’ button below only allows you to submit a job alert, not an online application.
