The Testing, Inspection, and Certification Global Workforce

As an international Testing, Inspection, and Certification (TIC) recruitment expert, we understand how vital the industry's services and solutions are for protecting people and the environment. Due to its importance, it is used by a wide variety of organisations across the global economy. Yet, despite its critical work, how much do you know about the industry? In this article, we will explore what exactly the TIC industry is, its global impact, its work in the battle against climate change, and what senior-level roles are available. 

TIC Industry - Helping Build a Safe and Sustainable World

In an ideal world, the products we buy will always be safe and reliable. Also, in this perfect world, importers would be confident that the quality and quantity of their cargo would align with what was specified in the contract. Furthermore, we could use digital devices, assets, and services without worrying about cyberattacks. But, unfortunately, this isn't the world we live in. 

Products we buy don't always meet health and safety or quality standards, complicated supply chains are open to errors and disputes over quality, and our digital devices, assets and services are open to cyberattacks. These potential issues are why the testing, inspection, and certification industry is vital to our safety as a consumer, business, and workforce. 

Testing, inspection, and Certification or TIC, provide various services, which range from auditing and inspection to testing, quality assurance, verifications, and certification. Its purpose is to increase production efficiency and reduce error by minimising risk. In addition, it provides confidence that a product, system, process, or person meets specified and required health, safety, security, and quality standards. 

Interestingly, the concept of testing, inspection, and certification can be traced back to the 19th century and the emergence of the industrial revolution. Institutions emerged across Europe that specialised in carrying out inspections on equipment such as high-pressured steam boilers, which could be dangerous if not properly maintained. In addition, TIC organisations would conduct inspections on ships and shipping equipment and report any concerns.  

A Vast Global Industry 

Did you know that the testing, inspection, and certification industry is an enormous global market? In 2021, its global market value exceeded 300 billion USD and is projected to exceed 400 billion USD by 2030. This growth represents a compound annual growth rate of 4% during the forecasted period. The industry also employs approximately 1 million people in 160 countries. 

For regional markets, this is analysed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. Here some of the key global figures which highlight the size of the industry:

• The Asia-Pacific market accounts for the largest market share and is expected to grow 5.2% by 2030. China and India, in particular, are helping drive this growth as they heavily contribute to the increase in manufacturing and commodities exports in the region. 
• The European markets are expected to have a value of $130 billion by 2030, a growth rate of 3.4%. It is predicted that the rising investments in infrastructure and building across the continent will drive this expansion. 
• The North American market was valued at $42 billion in 2020 and is forecasted to reach $52 billion in 2026. 

As we can see, the industry is making an impact worldwide and ensuring rules, regulations, and environmental commitments are abided by. Due to its power and influence, TIC can play a significant role in one of the biggest challenges the human race has ever faced, the fight against climate change. Next, we will explore its role in building a healthy and sustainable planet. 

TIC and the Battle Against Climate Change

The environment and climate change are major worldwide topics. Rising seas, increased temperatures, and melting polar ice caps are just a few of the issues facing the human race. This month the world's political leaders are meeting for COP27, and the world sits in the hope that viable and practical solutions can be worked out to improve the climate emergency. 

What can the TIC industry do about climate change, you may be asking? Well, they have a vital role, and by starting a career in TIC, you could play your part. 

In 2019, the TIC Council conducted an extensive risk mitigation survey on how industry leaders prepare for climate change's impact. A variety of C-suite executives from China, France, Germany, India, Italy, Sweden, the UK, and the USA, took part in the survey. The executives came from various industries, from agriculture and automotive to financial services. In June 2019, the results of the survey were announced at the global TIC summit in Brussels, and the key findings were: 

• Their organisations' three most significant risks were climate change, cybersecurity, and disruptive technology. 
• Executives expressed concern about the impact of climate change on production.
• 76% of executives are happy to put their trust in third-party testing, inspection, and certification companies to help in reducing the risk of climate change. 

The last finding is of particular interest to the TIC industry. Many global organisations feel that TIC has a significant role to play in assisting them in their company's battle against the effects of climate change. But why are TIC firms needed?

It is partly because the drive for change has come from the ground up, not from the top down. It is quickly changing consumer behaviours, such as reducing waste and plastics, to switch to electric cars, making the climate issue much more prominent.

In addition, consumers want to see visible action from organisations that are reducing their effects on the environment. As Elena Visnar Malinovska from the European Commission reminded the audience in Brussels, ‘major innovations are often social ones, not just technical ones.’

The rapid changes in consumers' behaviour and the demands for action mean that regulation is struggling to keep up. In the past, organisations have just assumed that if they comply with local regulations and ISO certifications, they will be carrying out their environmental risk duties. However, regulations and certifications can take years to catch up with the latest demands and developments, whether it be technological advancements or the climate emergency. As a result, consumers are quickly losing patience with slow regulation changes and organisations which are not acting fast enough to reduce their environmental risks. 

This is where the TIC industry comes into play. Using their experience and technical expertise, TIC firms can assist organisations in four key ways: 

1. Define and measure an organisation's carbon footprint. 
2. Help companies offset their carbon emissions through carbon credits. 
3. Assist organisations in defining and disclosing all their environment, social, and governance (ESG) activities to necessary bodies and the wider public.
4. Help verify the ESG claims of an organisation to investors or potential investors. 

Nothing is more critical now than our planet's health and survival. A career in TIC means you can play your role in assisting organisations to reduce their carbon footprint and impact on the environment whilst at the same time improving consumer confidence and reputation. 

4 Sectors Supported by the TIC Industry

Due to the importance of meeting consumer standards, health and safety regulations, and the pressure to reduce their effects on the environment, TIC firms work with many sectors across the economy. Below are examples of industries which use TIC services and the challenges these services can help overcome.  

1. Oil and Gas

 Offshore and onshore oil and gas production and storage facilities must be resilient and safe. Companies also must continue to invest and innovate new assets whilst replacing ageing facilities securely and cost-effectively. At the same time, companies must also ensure they meet strict regulations and consider their environmental impact. 

2. Food industry

 Understandably, today's consumers want to know where their food comes from and if it meets the required standards. To ensure consumer confidence, companies within the food industry must demonstrate responsible practices, clear and full product traceability, and meet strict regulations designed, so food meets consumer expectations. Meeting these requirements is becoming increasingly complex with the rise of globalised supply chains.

3. Buildings and Infrastructure  

Urban populations worldwide are increasing, and this boom means that more buildings and infrastructure need to be developed quickly. However, despite the urgency needed to develop towns and cities, residents still expect safe, sustainable, and healthy living conditions. 

This creates a challenge for developers and policymakers, who need to meet regulations whilst meeting the needs of a growing urban population. For developers and contractors, their challenge is to develop buildings and infrastructure quickly whilst ensuring they meet health, safety, and environmental standards. 

4. Clean and Renewable Energy

The clean and renewable energy sector is on the front line of the fight against client change. Therefore, we must increase the availability of renewable energy sources to help decrease carbon emissions. To achieve these environmental goals, the clean and renewable energy industry must be confident that its assets in critical sectors are safe, resilient, and sustainable. The industry's challenge is rapidly developing innovative renewable energy projects whilst ensuring they are safe, reliable, and sustainable. 

Each of these industries is vital to our way of life in its unique way. However, for them to function to their full productivity safely and responsibly, the TIC industry is there to support and overcome their challenges. 

Key Jobs in Testing, Inspection and Certification

As we have seen, the TIC industry is crucial to the safety, quality, and sustainability of an organisation's projects, assets, and services. Also, as we have seen from its work with the clean and renewable energy industry, it plays a vital role in the future of our planet. Starting a TIC career in a rewarding and ever-growing industry is exciting. Here is a selection of vital senior-level roles available within the TIC industry and many of the specialist sectors we discussed earlier. 

TIC Engineer 

TIC engineers are responsible for carrying out the testing, inspections, and certification of an organisation's products, services, or assets and ensuring they comply with relevant regulations. In addition, they generate reports on review and test data and make corrections and recommendations based on the findings. 

They should possess high-level communication skills as they must review projects and provide feedback to the wider engineering team. Engineers will also be experienced in working with certification agencies and data submittals, they should possess exceptional organisational, multitasking, and prioritising skills. 

Sales Manager 

Sales managers in the TIC industry are responsible for delivering an end-to-end sales process focused on generating new and existing business within a particular sector. As part of the role, they will work closely with the technical and marketing teams to create a unique and tailored approach for each client. Their sales activities include audits, training, certification, and finding solutions. 

Most sales managers develop and implement agreed business plans, which meet personal and business targets for growing the customer base in their area/region. Sales Managers also work alongside the sales and support team to increase customer satisfaction and revenue growth whilst always keeping an organisation's visions and values in mind. This role is focused on high customer service, selling, and product knowledge skills. 

Sustainability Expert 

 A sustainability expert is responsible for working with clients to help them improve their sustainability performance. They provide clients with a vital link between organisation and regulation. Importantly for businesses, their work can result in considerable cost savings. These experts will execute sustainability solutions and projects from developing to increasing output. 

In addition, they also will utilise and improve tools that evaluate a client's sustainability efforts and assess the viability of their sustainable practices and targets. In addition, they will work alongside technical and operational departments to assess and review the project execution project. They also must ensure that clients' sustainability projects and solutions are delivered on time. 

In our recent blog, TIC Jobs Taking over the Industry, we discuss top roles within the testing inspection and certification in more detail. Be sure to give it a read. 

Looking for TIC Jobs? We are an Expert TIC Recruitment Agency

 The ever-changing world of rules, regulations, and legislation, has meant that the TIC industry is continuing to grow, adapt, and develop. This growth has meant that the demand for high-skilled and knowledgeable senior-level talent is increasing to effectively and innovatively deal with these changes. 

CSG is a specialist TIC recruitment agency whose executive search team will use their experience to locate and attract the best talent from the global marketplace. We work with many companies, from smaller, family-owned businesses to major international organisations, to help them attract the highest calibre of senior talent. We specialise in executive management positions and have considerable experience delivering commercial and sales roles with the TIC industry. 

If you would explore our TIC recruitment expertise further, please visit our specialist testing, inspection, and certification page or contact one of our TIC recruitment experts.