Quality Assurance Inspector

Also known as:

Fault Finder
Quality Controller
Quality Tester

Introduction

Quality assurance inspectors make sure that products meet standards of quality and safety. They carry out a wide variety of tests and examinations. For example, they may visually examine a sample of a product or look at it using a microscope. They work in a wide range of production industries, including food and drink, pharmaceuticals and electronics.

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Work Activities

All production processes, large and small, require elements of quality control. It is a process designed to make sure that a product meets standards of quality and safety. Quality assurance inspectors make sure that everything from raw materials to finished products meets quality and safety standards.

It would be impractical to test every product that leaves a factory. Instead, inspectors make regular checks and tests on samples of the product.

Testing methods vary depending on what type of product is being made, and on the particular set of quality and safety standards that applies to the product. Inspectors may make visual inspections with the naked eye or they may use equipment like microscopes. Further tests may be necessary, perhaps including weighing and measuring.

Some quality assurance tests may be routine and quick. Increasingly, quality control inspectors use automated systems to test thousands of samples very quickly. Other tests may be more complex and take much longer. The nature of the tests varies depending on the industry. For example, in food processing industries, inspectors may be responsible for making sure products meet food safety and nutritional standards. In a pharmaceutical company, an inspector may test the safety and purity of drugs.

Quality assurance inspectors keep records of all the tests they have carried out. They may use charts and statistics to analyse their results. They may then write and perhaps present a report to show their findings. If there is a problem, quality assurance inspectors meet with production staff to decide if current processes need to be changed.

Quality standards are usually set by the manufacturing company itself or by a statutory body like the British Standards Institute (BSI). The BSI awards a symbol called a 'kite mark' to products that meet its safety and quality standards.

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Personal Qualities and Skills

You must be observant and very good at paying attention to detail. You will also need patience because some tests are complex and take a long time to complete. You should have a logical, methodical approach to your work, and you must be precise when taking measurements and recording figures.

You need good number skills to understand statistics and good computer skills because test results are usually stored and displayed on computers. Also, tests may be performed on automated testing systems.

Quality assurance inspectors should have report writing skills.

You will need tact and discretion to point out problems to production workers, and strong communication skills to encourage and motivate others to improve the quality of their work. Quality assurance inspectors must have good interpersonal skills to get on with people of all ages and backgrounds. You will also need communication skills to explain your findings and advice clearly to others.

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Pay and Opportunities

The pay rates given below are approximate.

Quality assurance inspectors earn £14,000 - £16,500 a year, rising to £20,000 - £23,500. Higher earners can make around £26,500 a year.

Quality assurance inspectors usually work a basic 39-hour week, Monday to Friday. Shift work, including weekend work may be required in some production environments. All production processes, large and small, require elements of quality control.

Employers throughout the UK include firms in engineering, electronics, food and drink, pharmaceuticals and textiles.

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Adult Opportunities

It is now illegal for any organisation to set age limits for entry to employment, education or training, unless they can show there is a real need to have these limits.

Many employers prefer people with experience of making production decisions, or supervising on the shop floor, in a manufacturing industry.

In Scotland, Aberdeen College offers the Chartered Quality Institute (CQI) Certificate and Diploma courses by distance learning .

A number of other centres throughout the UK also offer CQI qualifications by distance learning. A list of providers is available from the CQI.

• 3% of people in occupations such as quality control inspector work part-time.
• 2% work on a temporary basis.

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