Coatings are one of the most efficient and proficient techniques in order to provide protection to the steel structures that are the building blocks of a building. Coatings provide the most reliable protection against steel corrosion. Although, coatings can provide an effective protection still with the changing weather patterns, better quality of coatings are being developed so that the life period of the buildings can be enhanced.

With the use of modern technologies, coatings are becoming better and enhancing the life of the buildings, still more research is constantly bringing in more changes in the coating material. With the current flow of changes, the job of the coating inspector is being made increasingly difficult. To meet the challenge, the coating inspectors should be taught very rigorously and imparted the latest knowledge related to the coating.

A typical coating inspector course would start off by introduction of basic paints and the technology with which it is applied on the steel. This basic information is crucial as without the information about the types and kinds of coating paints, a paint instructor can never function. Other information, which is important, is the rigors of the climate and its effects on the steel and other building structures. This would be helpful for the painter, as it would designate the paint for the type of the surface. The surface would also determine the application procedure. All of this information is vital for inspector as this would help in determining the quality of the coating. Quality control knowledge is most important for the coating inspector and would tell whether the inspector has got the required skills to pinpoint the problems or not.

A typical coating inspector course has three different levels. Level 1 of the coating inspector course deals with the basics of coating and paints. This level prepares the student with the basic knowledge required for preparation of the coating surface and the correct method of steel application. After the completion of level 1, a person can perform some basic coating inspections.

With the level 2, the student would have advanced information about a whole range of coating paints and materials. The preparation of the application surface is also taught in this level. After completing this level, the inspector can do advanced inspections of various different surfaces with various coatings. The level 3 would enable an inspector to handle and lead a team of inspectors that have ample experience in coating paints and coating steel surfaces. The professional inspector can then deliver correct reports to the management on the coating inspections. In short, with the 3rd level, the inspector would become an authority and can pass on directives. Once a student passes these three certification levels, he or she could go on to try out other advanced levels of certifications in order to become more diversified in this field.

The coating inspector field is pretty diverse and interesting, and offers employment and growth opportunities that can certainly kickstart a respectable professional career for the individual.