A person can become a quality assurance inspector in two different ways. Some employers are willing to provide on-the-job training for inspector positions that require determining whether an item meets or fails the employer’s standards. To work as an inspector, all that is required is a high school diploma. A post-secondary degree is required to qualify for a more senior position as a quality assurance inspector.
Examining items to ensure that they meet the company’s established standards is one of the responsibilities of a quality inspector. An inspector may be required to certify that the items being manufactured meet all legal requirements. The inspector may be in charge of ensuring that a company’s packing and shipping containers comply with the company’s specifications. A quality assurance inspector will determine whether the items under his or her control meet accepted standards and may be required to collect material samples and send them to testing facilities.
A person who wants to work as a quality assurance inspector at a higher level should begin by enrolling in an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program in quality management. Students in the associate’s degree program will be in school for about two years, while those in the bachelor’s degree program will be in school for four years.
Management skills, statistical quality control, and quality management are among the courses offered in an associate’s degree program with a major in quality management. Marketing research, team management, and quality design and control are among the topics covered by students in this program. One of the online programs available may be of interest to someone who wants to complete this requirement to become a quality inspector while working.
People who enroll in a bachelor’s degree program to study to become quality assurance inspectors will begin by taking a number of liberal arts courses in subjects such as business writing, public speaking, mathematics, and statistics. Students will concentrate on subjects such as accounting, safety management, and engineering principles in later years. Other courses in the program include product development, supply chain management, and leadership. This program is also available online, making it a good choice for people who want to continue their education while working or taking care of their families.