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Tania Leach has switched the hair cutting shears for the Building Code. The former hairdresser has hung up her apron to review building consents at the Thames-Coromandel District Council.

“The building career path is one I never considered an option when I was at high school,” the building consent processing officer says. “Generally when you say building, you typically think of hammers, nails and blokes.” But Tania is on top of the world in her new career which she juggles with studying the NZ Diploma in Building Surveying (In employment), Level 6. “I thoroughly enjoy my job and love the constant learnings associated with the Building Act and Code.” Close to graduating, she welcomes the professional development opportunities stretching ahead. “Hopefully that involves Level 7 with Future Skills Academy.”

Tania, 30, hails from a background in hospitality, hairdressing and working as a ground crew team leader for Qantas in Perth, Western Australia. After returning to New Zealand and starting a family, “I realised hairdressing was no longer a passion that would work in with family commitments,” the mother of three says.

Tania went on to become a vetting officer in the building administration team of the Thames Coromandel District Council. This sparked a fascination for the industry. “I developed a thirst for knowledge to understand the legislative requirements and reasons behind the tasks of my role.”

She seized the opportunity for a building consent processor cadetship. Tania then enrolled in our diploma because it aligned with the Regulation 18 and cadetship requirements of the BCA Accreditation Scheme for Building Consent Authorities. A highlight has been sharing the two-year learning journey with co-hort colleagues performing similar roles, she says. “They have brought a variety of personal experiences that contribute to learning take-aways and create industry contacts which go beyond the course environment.”