Steps to Becoming a Quality Control Specialist

Specialization in Quality Control Can Offer Wide-Ranging Career Opportunities

When a consumer purchases any product in a sealed box or package, there is the natural expectation that the article contained inside will be a match to that pictured/described on the exterior in terms of its appearance, colour, texture, performance, etc.  It is therefore particularly annoying when they find the item to be, as it is often said, not as advertised.

This of course means that the item has to be returned for credit or replacement, either in person, by courier, or through the postal service; whatever the route, the inconvenience is multi-faceted as money has been spent with basically nothing received in return.  And, whether as a thought or uttered aloud, these situations will frequently leave consumers wondering just how such a defective item ever made it through a quality control process.

In all probability, that quality control procedure was poorly designed, poorly supervised, and/or poorly implemented – which in turn means that some/all of the company’s quality control personnel were ineffective in their respective roles.  The implications of such poor compliance can be staggering, including loss of revenue for the company and quite likely an eventual loss of employment for some of its staff.

All of the above heightens the importance of having capable quality control specialists as part of the overall production process; manufacturers simply must have the confidence that their goods meet strict standards before shipping them to distributors or end-users can even be a consideration.

Some of the key steps to becoming a quality control specialist would include:

• Education
  • High school diploma – emphasis on computer and biological sciences
  • Post-secondary studies in quality management (2- or 4-year programs)
• Work Experience
  • Complete an internship or apprenticeship with a potential employer
• Accreditation
  • Pursue appropriate quality control certifications e.g.: Six Sigma, ASQ
  • Certifications could be employer-supported or sought independently

Individuals who assume the role of a quality control specialist/analyst can certainly have diverse backgrounds with respect to their education and previous work experience; skills that are commonly sought for these positions, though, will often consist of the following:

• Detail Orientation
• Information Technology
• Mathematics Applications
• Accuracy and Thoroughness
• Physical and Manual Dexterity
• Written and Oral Communication
• Problem Solving and Critical Thinking

Career options for quality control specialists are wide-ranging within the manufacturing sector, with specific opportunities including but not limited to such industries as:

• Electronics
• Automotive
• Food Processing
• Pharmaceuticals
• Aviation/Aerospace
• Medical Instrumentation
• Energy/Natural Resources

Indeed, specialization in the discipline of quality control can provide a viable career path with a broad range of employment opportunities.

A Staffing Agency Offers Many Resources to those Seeking Quality Control Jobs

Those interested in launching or advancing their career as a quality control specialist will find it advantageous to enlist the assets of an established placement and staffing agency like Winters Technical Staffing in Toronto.  By collaborating with the staffing professionals at Winters Technical Staffing, candidates for quality control positions will have access to a variety of job search dynamics that can include:

• Resume development
• Interview preparations
• Apprenticeship opportunities
• Non-advertised job openings
• Industry contacts/networking
• Market surveys/trending data

Consultants at Winters Technical Staffing have been successfully addressing the staffing needs of employers within the manufacturing sector in Toronto and the surrounding area for more than 40 years.  During that period, Winters Technical Staffing has established strong working relationships with many of these employers and their hiring managers, to the extent that their entire recruiting processes are often delegated to and completed by this agency; such trust can often bode well for individuals who are seeking employment as a quality control specialist.

Contact Winters Today

For guidance and resources you may need in support of your efforts to begin or further a career as a quality control specialist, call the staffing specialists from Winters Technical Staffing today at 1-877-495-7422 to book a no-obligation consultation on your personal and professional aspirations.