Collaboration to Create Drone Inspection Specialist Certification for High-Rise Buildings
In an exciting development, three pioneering organizations—JUIDA (the Japan UAS Industrial Promotion Association), Tokyu Community, and Hummingbird—have joined forces to create a groundbreaking new qualification called the "Drone Inspection Specialist." This initiative is set to significantly transform the management and inspection of high-rise buildings, particularly condominiums. The aim is to cultivate skilled operators proficient in the safe and efficient use of drones for building inspections, addressing a growing demand in the construction and real estate sectors.
As industries across the board express greater interest in drone applications, the need has become especially pronounced in building inspections. Conventional visual inspections of high-rise structures can be challenging and costly, often requiring scaffolding or ladders. Drones offer a solution: they can reduce inspection costs and manpower while providing precise data, such as infrared images, which lead to objective inspection results. Since the advent of the national drone pilot licensing system in December 2022, the number of qualified operators has steadily increased. However, there remains a significant issue—a gap between the skills of operators and the practical demands of inspection tasks. Many organizations have reported that while there are licensed pilots, finding qualified, job-ready operators remains a challenge.
To bridge this gap, JUIDA, Tokyu Community, and Hummingbird have pooled their respective strengths. JUIDA, recognized as a leader in the Japanese drone industry, brings expertise in the development of necessary skills and safety standards. Tokyu Community, a top-tier real estate management company, contributes its extensive knowledge in property management and maintenance. Meanwhile, Hummingbird, the leading operator of drone schools in Japan, ensures that the curriculum is aligned with industry needs, providing high-quality education.
The newly established "Drone Inspection Specialist" qualification aims to empower individuals with practical skills tailored for immediate application in residential building inspections, particularly focusing on the outer walls of condominiums. By offering a specialized training course, the program is designed to quickly equip operators with the knowledge required to perform drone inspections effectively. The inaugural course, which emphasizes the unique aspects of condominiums, has been launched to address the immediate needs of the urban landscape.
Details regarding the program, including course fees and schedules, are expected to be released at the upcoming "Japan Drone / Next-Generation Air Mobility EXPO 2025" from June 4 to June 6, 2025, in Makuhari, Chiba. During this event, a joint press conference will be held, providing more detailed insights into the qualifications offered by the three collaborating firms. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the representatives from each organization and learn more about the pressing issue of skill gaps within the drone industry.
The initiative aligns with broader trends seeking to integrate advanced technology into various sectors, emphasizing improving workplace safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. JUIDA, Tokyu Community, and Hummingbird are committed to nurturing a workforce that is not only skilled in drone operation but also aware of the practical applications and implications of their work, significantly enhancing the standard for inspections in the real estate market.
As we usher in this new era of drone-enabled inspections, JUIDA’s chairman, Shinji Suzuki, emphasizes the focus on creating strong connections between educational programs and practical job opportunities. Moreover, the future of drone inspection specialists holds promising prospects, aiming to overcome current industry challenges and harmonize the skills of operators with market demands, thus ensuring a sustainable growth trajectory for drone utilization across industries. This certification not only signifies individual achievement but also represents a collective step towards pioneering innovative solutions and ensuring a safe, efficient future in building inspections and beyond.
As industries across the board express greater interest in drone applications, the need has become especially pronounced in building inspections. Conventional visual inspections of high-rise structures can be challenging and costly, often requiring scaffolding or ladders. Drones offer a solution: they can reduce inspection costs and manpower while providing precise data, such as infrared images, which lead to objective inspection results. Since the advent of the national drone pilot licensing system in December 2022, the number of qualified operators has steadily increased. However, there remains a significant issue—a gap between the skills of operators and the practical demands of inspection tasks. Many organizations have reported that while there are licensed pilots, finding qualified, job-ready operators remains a challenge.
To bridge this gap, JUIDA, Tokyu Community, and Hummingbird have pooled their respective strengths. JUIDA, recognized as a leader in the Japanese drone industry, brings expertise in the development of necessary skills and safety standards. Tokyu Community, a top-tier real estate management company, contributes its extensive knowledge in property management and maintenance. Meanwhile, Hummingbird, the leading operator of drone schools in Japan, ensures that the curriculum is aligned with industry needs, providing high-quality education.
The newly established "Drone Inspection Specialist" qualification aims to empower individuals with practical skills tailored for immediate application in residential building inspections, particularly focusing on the outer walls of condominiums. By offering a specialized training course, the program is designed to quickly equip operators with the knowledge required to perform drone inspections effectively. The inaugural course, which emphasizes the unique aspects of condominiums, has been launched to address the immediate needs of the urban landscape.
Details regarding the program, including course fees and schedules, are expected to be released at the upcoming "Japan Drone / Next-Generation Air Mobility EXPO 2025" from June 4 to June 6, 2025, in Makuhari, Chiba. During this event, a joint press conference will be held, providing more detailed insights into the qualifications offered by the three collaborating firms. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the representatives from each organization and learn more about the pressing issue of skill gaps within the drone industry.
The initiative aligns with broader trends seeking to integrate advanced technology into various sectors, emphasizing improving workplace safety, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. JUIDA, Tokyu Community, and Hummingbird are committed to nurturing a workforce that is not only skilled in drone operation but also aware of the practical applications and implications of their work, significantly enhancing the standard for inspections in the real estate market.
As we usher in this new era of drone-enabled inspections, JUIDA’s chairman, Shinji Suzuki, emphasizes the focus on creating strong connections between educational programs and practical job opportunities. Moreover, the future of drone inspection specialists holds promising prospects, aiming to overcome current industry challenges and harmonize the skills of operators with market demands, thus ensuring a sustainable growth trajectory for drone utilization across industries. This certification not only signifies individual achievement but also represents a collective step towards pioneering innovative solutions and ensuring a safe, efficient future in building inspections and beyond.
Topics Consumer Products & Retail）
【About Using Articles】
You can freely use the title and article content by linking to the page where the article is posted.
※ Images cannot be used.
【About Links】
Links are free to use.