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- Check that control systems and products meet recognised standards
- You'll need the ability to use your technical knowledge to design policies
- You could move into supervisory, management or research jobs
As a quality control assistant, you could work in many industries. You'll usually work in a team supervised by a quality manager.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Dealing with customer feedback and complaints
- Assessing and rating suppliers
- Designing, reviewing and updating quality control policies
- Training new staff
- Producing reports
You'll also have duties specific to your industry. For example, in manufacturing and engineering this could include:
- Finding and fixing faults at each stage of the production process, testing samples in a lab
- Making sure labelling is accurate
- Checking that production methods meet legislation guidelines
- Inspecting materials for defects
- Using methods like non-destructive testing (NDT)
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
In manufacturing, you may need to work evening and weekend shifts. You could work in an office, laboratory or factory production area.
You'll need
This role would be ideal for someone with the ability to use your technical knowledge to design policies, and organisational skills.
You could do a foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree, which includes quality control options, for example production management, business and management or manufacturing engineering.
You could also do an apprenticeship that covers quality control as part of the training. The exact apprenticeship you do will depend on the industry you work in. For example, in engineering, you might complete an advanced apprenticeship in operations and quality improvement. In food production, you may take a food technologist advanced apprenticeship.
You could apply directly for jobs if you have a lot of experience in other areas, like engineering or health and safety.
You can get relevant qualifications through the Chartered Quality Institute, and as part of management courses with the Chartered Management Institute. Some knowledge of British quality standards and working methods will be useful when applying for jobs in quality control.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience and training you could move into supervisory, management or research jobs.