Facilities Management (FM) teams from Unitec and MIT have been getting hands-on experience in plastering through a series of upskilling workshops run at Te Pūtahi (Building 108, Unitec).
We received strong feedback through Your Whakaaro that keeping your working environments clean and well-maintained is important to you.
The initiative will provide cost-saving benefits for both divisions by allowing more maintenance work to be done in-house.
While we’ll still be employing outside contractors for major upgrade work, it’s been awesome to see kaimahi from Unitec’s Trades & Services School sharing their knowledge and expertise with FM, who are our frontline in keeping facilities looking their best.
“The purpose for the workshops was primarily for professional development for the FM teams through upskilling and improving specific skills and gaining new knowledge,” explains Bill Dobbin, Maintenance Manager for Unitec and MIT.
“At the School of Trades, we love sharing our expertise,” says Lee Baglow, Head of School for Trades & Services, Unitec.
“FM staff have learned how to achieve Level 4 and Level 5 interior plastering finishes and a quick and effective method for patching Gib board,” says Lee.
Lecturer Guy Anderson who is facilitating the workshops, says the delivery is crucial as kaimahi deal with a high volume of maintenance work across MIT’s five campuses and Unitec’s two campuses.
“A few have done some plastering before, so you have different skill levels. These workshops are designed to get them up to the same level so if they’re going around the buildings doing maintenance work, you’ll get a better standard,” says Mr Anderson.
Mr Anderson says the workshops are perfectly timed not to clash with apprentice courses which start on 17 March.
Mr Baglow adds: “It’s been great to see their enthusiasm and progress, and we’re proud to support them in developing skills that will enhance their work across the institution. One more session, and they’ll be plastering like pros!”
“Property & FM are in a great position to further their skills set with the expertise of our Trades school,” says General Operations Manager – MIT & Unitec, Dan Brady.
“We have phenomenal academic delivery across a range of vocations and it only makes sense we leverage this for the development of our own people. I hope this is a start for similar opportunities across the institute and Tāmaki,” Mr Brady says.
A total of 10 kaimahi are attending the three workshops with the final workshop being held on 4-5 March 2025.
This is so cute ♡ What a great idea.
Hi Guy,
I would like to thank you from the FM team for running the Jib Stopping course.
Your expertise and dedication in delivering such a comprehensive and engaging session has made a positive impact on the team.
The knowledge and skills gained from the course will enhance the team’s ability to manage and perform jib stopping more effectively.
Your thorough approach, practical demonstrations, and willingness to answer questions created a productive learning environment that was both informative and enjoyable.
I’m sure the team will be looking forward to applying what they have learned and continuing to improve our operations with the valuable tips and tricks you’ve shared.
Thanks Bill and the FM team