Mohammad, facility caretaker
My career at sports services began in the Latokartano sports hall, where I was first employed through a pay subsidy for six months and then for three months on a fixed-term basis. After this, I completed my military service and started to study for a sports venue manager’s qualification with an apprenticeship in November 2011. The studies allowed me to get to know several of our units, some of which had been unknown to me. At the end of the apprenticeship, I was given a permanent position as the sports venue manager of the Oulunkylä sports park, where I worked for seven years. My duties included cashier work and field maintenance. In the winter months, I was responsible for the operation of the artificial ice field.
Later, I was given the opportunity to work at the Swimming Stadium as a summer substitute for the facility caretaker. With this experience, I got interested in becoming a facility manager and realised their tasks would require technical training. So I went to study building maintenance on an apprenticeship alongside work. After the training, I transferred to the Pirkkola swimming hall to work as a facility manager. However, due to a personal situation, I couldn’t continue working on the evening shift, and I briefly transferred to the Urban Environment Division. Shortly after that, however, a call for applications opened for my current position at the Itäkeskus swimming hall, where I’ve now worked for four years as a facility manager.
After transferring to my new position, I completed a maintenance master’s qualification, and the four facility managers at sports services were trained to ensure uniform competence. Last year, I also participated in city-organised manager training. Although a facility manager’s duties do not actually include managerial responsibilities, the work includes some managerial duties.
A facility manager’s work is varied, and there’s always something new to learn. Our working environment is evolving and changing, and we must also adopt these changes in our own work. The best part of the work is its variety and its challenges, which keep the work interesting and let me constantly develop my skills.
Our team, Building Maintenance, is responsible for maintaining the buildings and building tech of sports services, along with some specialist tasks. Personally, I’m responsible for sports facilities in the eastern Helsinki swimming halls like those at Itäkeskus and Jakomäki, and one of my most important tasks is the maintenance and upkeep of the water treatment systems in these halls. Without us, the swimming halls and sports facilities wouldn’t remain operational.
This work is suitable for a person who enjoys hands-on work and is interested in building maintenance technology. Our team spirit is strong, our work ethic is high, and we have a genuine desire to support each other. The employer also supports development at work and provides opportunities for a variety of tasks. Sports services has many different jobs and units, so the desire for variety and motivation largely originate from the employee.