Hoping
to combat a shrinking pool of certified building inspectors in Pennsylvania, a
West Shore lawmaker is proposing legislation that would create a training
program.
Rep. Sheryl Delozier (R-Cumberland), in a memo
seeking co-sponsors, said the number of certified inspectors and plan examiners
has dwindled to less than 2,500 in recent years.
Municipalities
and third-party agencies are both reporting shortages in qualified, certified
people to fill vacancies, she said. "Constituents call in and complain
they can't get plans approved on time. And municipalities need folks certified
to approve and move the process along."
The
decline has been driven by retirements coupled with fewer construction
professionals moving into careers as code officials, according to the Pennsylvania
Builders Association, which is backing the legislative effort.
The
current accreditation system allows people to be certified without any
requirement for field experience at active construction sites, said Melanie
Wise, an association spokeswoman.
"We
believe both residential builders and the general public will benefit from the
establishment of a trainee program," she said.
According
to the state Department of Labor and Industry, there are about 2,380 building
inspectors in Pennsylvania who enforce the Uniform Construction Code. In 2007,
there were 3,123.
The
trainee classification system proposed by Delozier would be structured
much like systems employed in architecture and engineering. A current certified
code official would agree to assume "responsible supervision" of a
trainee.
While
under supervision, the trainee would be working in the field and performing
plan reviews.
"Since
participation in the trainee program will be optional, we are confident this
bill places no new regulatory burdens on currently certified building code
officials," Wise said.
This
is not a partisan issue, Delozier added. "This is something that is just
good for jobs."
Source: Central
Penn Business Journal
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