Completing the NZ Diploma in Building Surveying gave Anthony van Son valuable knowledge and connections, boosting his confidence and opening new doors for career growth.

Anthony is an experienced builder with 20 winters under his belt. He lives in Porirua City north of Wellington, with his lovely wife and three (soon to be four) kids.

He had been working as a Building Inspector with Porirua City Council for three years when he decided to upskill with the NZ Diploma in Building Surveying.

“Studying with Future Skills had so many highlights. I loved meeting new people and discovering how to relate the Building Act to my everyday work,” he says.

“It was awesome to understand the reasoning behind our actions. The tutors were fantastic too. As you might expect, diving into legislation and processes can be a bit dry, but they made it enjoyable with lots of humour and even a few dad jokes sprinkled in.”

Anthony says he was lucky to have the opportunity to take on the role of Team Leader for his group of inspectors, while he was studying.

“This brought a distinct set of challenges, as I had to juggle my new responsibilities along with my studies. It was tough at times, but I always reminded myself that it was short-term pain for a long-term gain.”

He says completing the diploma has opened doors for his career development.

“The knowledge I've gained and retained has boosted my confidence in decision-making, and even more importantly, it has enabled me to assist both my teammates and the public, which has been incredibly fulfilling.”

Anthony says enrolling in the programme is hands down the best choice for a building assurance officer.

His cohort found the diploma incredibly valuable as it closely aligned with their daily work.

“We've gained a wealth of specific knowledge and made some fantastic new connections along the way, which is a highlight.”

His advice for new and prospective students is straightforward.

“Remember, the effort you put into studying directly influences what you get out of it.”