Institute of Technology Carlow, in partnership with the National Building Control Office (NBCO), have unveiled a certificate course in Building Control Management to facilitate proper training in compliance and regulation management within Ireland’s €20 billion construction industry.

Local authorities' five regional training centres

Co-ordinated and delivered by the Institute’s Extended Campus department, the Certificate in Building Control Management will commence mid-October and be delivered in the local authorities' five regional training centres located in Cork, Dublin, Mayo, Donegal and Tipperary.

The programme, which will be recognised as the minimum standard in building control, will run over one year and include modules in: Built Environment Legislation; Administrative Functions; Building Control Management System; Building Regulations; Inspections and Inspection Procedures & Policy; Enforcement - Legal with Case Studies and Compliance & Support.

“Building Control Reform has been a key priority for government since 2011," said Damien English TD, Minister for Housing and Urban Development.

"The 2014 Building Control Amendment Regulations (BCAR) have brought a new order and discipline to bear on construction projects and promote a culture of compliance with the Building Regulations.

'Empowering the building control authority'

"Empowering the building control authority to exercise its role efficiently and effectively is fundamental to a well-regulated construction sector.

"This course is designed to support building control officers in undertaking their functions, promoting national consistency, leading to a quality public service delivered by the local authorities,” .

Dr Frances Hardiman, head of the Faculty of Engineering, Institute of Technology Carlow, said: “The built environment in which we live is a major determinant of health and wellbeing.

"The Certificate in Building Control Management will provide the skills and knowledge to building control officers in support of the building control function; to this end, we are delighted to combine the skills of IT Carlow’s built environment department and the National Building Control Office."

'Well-trained and well-regulated construction industry'

Mairead Phelan, head of the National Building Control Office, said: “A total of 90 per cent of a person’s life is spent indoors and this is higher for vulnerable people. A well-trained and well-regulated construction industry is imperative. Unfortunately, up to 125 million people in Europe suffer energy poverty.

"This certificate course will equip participants with the knowledge and ability to identify and manage securing the implementation of and compliance with the requirements of building regulations.”

The Irish construction industry directly employs 137,400 and is worth about €21 billion, contributing about 10 per cent of GNP to the Irish economy.

Project Ireland 2040 estimates that 550,000 homes will be required over the next 20 years, and the National Development Plan commits €11.6 billion to providing 112,000 new social homes by 2027.

For further information on the Certificate in Building Control Management, contact, the Extended Campus at IT Carlow. Tel: 059 9175286 or email: extendedcampus@itcarlow.ie