We're speaking with Kylie Walker from GMA Certification Group

Tell us a bit about your background. How did you get into a career as a Building Surveyor?

My background is quite different, and I stumbled into Building Surveying by chance and circumstance. With a double degree in Marketing and a Bachelor of Arts in Japanese, I began my career working in a Japanese wedding and tourism business on the Gold Coast. From there, I moved to a position as a PA in a tourist accommodation company, which unfortunately led to redundancy. As fate would have it, a friend of a friend of a friend mentioned that their mother's office was seeking someone with admin experience. This opportunity led me to work in certification in an administrative capacity in 2009, and eventually, I joined GMA in a similar role. My previous experience with VA at the certification company proved valuable at GMA, and I worked my way up to a Senior Administration position. It was in 2018 when I was presented with the chance to upskill and become a Certifier, which I embraced wholeheartedly. After becoming accredited in 2021, I'm now proud to call myself a Building Surveyor.

What is your current role, and what do you find enjoyable about it?

My current role as a Building Surveyor is quite diverse, and I find it fulfilling as each day presents a new set of challenges. Although the tasks we perform can be routine, every job is unique. I enjoy the investigative aspect of my work. For instance, while someone may approach us to construct a house, we investigate whether the proposed plan adheres to all the necessary guidelines. It's like a puzzle, and I find it intellectually stimulating. Every day, we interact with various stakeholders, from the house owner to the builders and tradespeople, which keeps the work interesting. Overall, I am grateful for the variety that my job offers, as it ensures that I am never bored.

What obstacles do you encounter as a building surveyor, particularly as a woman in the construction field?

As Building Surveyors, we face the challenge of working within a regulatory framework. There are two mindsets that we encounter: some individuals do not understand our role, and we must clarify our responsibilities, while others may not appreciate us enforcing regulations. This puts us in a unique position as service providers who must adhere to strict guidelines. We strive to offer exceptional service to our clients, but occasionally we must say ‘no, you cannot do that’ to ensure we meet regulatory standards. Balancing the client's desires with what is permissible under the law can be difficult, but it is important to remind them that building certification exists to ensure human safety. Our role also involves educating clients on why certain building practices are allowed or prohibited, as many people are unaware of the reasons behind these regulations.

And the second half of the question regarding challenges in the industry.

Attractive workwear is always a problem….just kidding. Times are beginning to change, and I have not experienced any blatant sexism in my work. In this field, it's all about your knowledge and expertise. Whether you are a man or a woman, if you show up to a job site and speak confidently with a solid foundation of training and skills, people will recognise your competence and respect you.

Building surveying is a career that doesn't require a traditional trade background, so women need not be intimidated by the lack of onsite skills or not ‘being on the tools’. At GMA, we have employees from a wide variety of backgrounds, from retail workers to nurses. This industry is a great opportunity for anyone willing to learn and develop their skills. As a residential certifier, I have the option to continue my education and become a Level 1 commercial certifier, or I can specialise in niche areas such as NDIS or the Liveable Housing provision. There are endless opportunities for growth and expertise in this field.

How does GMA’s company's culture support women in their careers? Specifically, I am interested in understanding the ways in which women are encouraged to grow and succeed within the company.

At GMA, we have a team-based environment that is enjoyable and fun. We do not believe in gatekeeping knowledge - instead, we foster a collaborative and supportive approach where everyone has equal opportunities to receive help and assistance from one another. Our culture is not punitive, but rather, we promote a learning culture that encourages growth and development. We understand that making mistakes is a natural part of the learning process, and we strive to create an environment where employees do not fear being wrong or making mistakes. Overall, our collaborative and supportive culture benefits everyone, including women who are looking to grow and succeed within our company.

Could you share with us your involvement with NAWIC?

I have not personally been a member of NAWIC, as I have found great support and representation from the women in my own organisation, GMA. With a large number of female colleagues and certifiers in our outer offices, I have not felt the need to seek out external connections. However, it is reassuring to know that organisations like NAWIC exist to support women in the industry.

What steps could be taken by industry bodies to encourage and support women interested in a career in Building Certification?

In my opinion, Building Certification as a career needs more brand awareness. When I began working in certification during my 30s, I had no idea what it entailed. I believe that introducing students at the high school level to this career choice could help bring more women into the industry. Currently, many women come into this field by accident, perhaps because a family member is a tradie, and they are more exposed to the industry at an early age. However, Building Certification is probably not among the top 50 career choices for women. As a result, I don't know any 5-year-old girls who say, "I want to be a building surveyor." By introducing this career to school students, this may change.

Building surveying is an incredibly fulfilling career. We take the process from plans on a page and guide it through all the different stages, assessing and ensuring the legality of the project. We issue the necessary building approval and visit onsite during the construction stages. It is incredibly satisfying to complete a final inspection, having been involved in the entire process. With each certification, we take pride in our work and feel a true sense of satisfaction. When clients express their gratitude, saying things like "You have made this process easy" is a wonderful feeling.

How has the environment for women working in the building industry changed over time?

Over the years, it has become more commonplace to see women on construction sites and in building surveying positions. While there may have been a surprise initially, it is now widely accepted that women are involved in the industry. Personally, I have not experienced any direct disrespect for being a woman. If there are disagreements or compliance issues, demonstrating knowledge and skills is key to resolving any issues. Ultimately, it is important to remember that our customers have time frames and real-world consequences to consider. We strive to achieve compliance without negatively impacting people's lives or costing them unnecessary expenses. Our goal is to ensure safe construction practices while working towards a successful project conclusion.

How does technology help you as a building certifier?

As a building certifier, technology is an integral part of our work. In the past, we used to go through reams of paper to set up files for assessment. However, with digital platforms like VA, we can now drag and drop information from external sources like council mapping websites, making our work quicker, more accurate, and easier in terms of record keeping. This is especially important as we undergo audit processes by professional accreditation bodies like AIBS. With everything at our fingertips, we can easily demonstrate how we arrived at our decisions, making our work more efficient and effective.

In what area do you see your career growing in the future?

I believe that the NDIS space is a promising growth area due to recent changes in legislation. By becoming more involved with Liveable housing and NDIS areas and obtaining additional training in these areas, I can offer another specialised service for GMA. While there are many factors involved in the industry's success, such as economic conditions and the availability of land for housing, I believe that building surveying will remain a valuable career choice with longevity.

With my current Level 3 license, I have the opportunity to pursue further training to become a Level 2 and then a Level 1 certifier, which could open up new directions in commercial areas. There are many opportunities for growth and development in this career, making it a fulfilling choice for those seeking a lifelong career.

Can you provide some feedback on how Visual Approvals software has impacted your certification process? Specifically, if you have found it to be helpful in streamlining the process, could you elaborate on how?

I find VA to be a great application. The software is user-friendly and allows for the efficient organisation of assessments. It also integrates well with other software. For our internal processes, VA is well-suited for inspections, assessments, and documentation handling. Additionally, we find it easy to communicate with clients and other stakeholders using VA. Overall, VA has proven to be a valuable tool for our certification process.

Thank you, Kylie.