COLLEGE TO HELP ADDRESS SHORTAGE OF INSPECTORS.

Byline: Daily News

SANTA CLARITA -- College of the Canyons is establishing a building-inspection program that will allow students to receive a certificate of achievement and prepare them to take building code certification exams typically required for employment.

The new courses come a year after the college introduced its Land Surveying and Construction Management programs, both in response to a local need for trained professionals to keep up with development.

The Employment Development Department has identified building inspection as an occupation with high employment potential, said Audrey Green, dean of Program Development and Community Extension at the Valencia college.

"Both the city of Santa Clarita and Los Angeles County Department of Public Works have indicated a need for qualified individuals in this area," Green said. "With the explosive growth in the Santa Clarita Valley, public agencies find themselves without an adequate number of building inspectors."

Building inspectors are employed by government agencies, private companies, contractors and lending institutions. Inspectors must observe, evaluate, judge and enforce laws and regulations pertaining to building construction and must have a broad base of knowledge in all aspects of construction including plan reading, specification interpretation and legal requirements.

The program includes courses in blueprints and state construction, plus mechanical, plumbing and electrical codes.

Classes begin in the fall. For information, check the college's Web site at www.canyons.edu.