Pickwick’s emphasis on Staff Training

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Pickwick places a high degree of importance on staff training and not just for our cleaning and security workforce. During August all senior and operations management from around the country attended training on the all-important subject of Understanding Workplace Discrimination, Harassment and Bullying. The workshop run by one of our clients Livingstones Australia who specialise in HR, Employment & Industrial Relations focused on the laws to prevent workplace and harassment, and provided managers with practical examples and exercises to understand how to identify inappropriate behaviour and their responsibility and actions for preventing it.

The feedback from all who attended was positive and though the subject was a serious one, the atmosphere was fun and positive. Above are some of our management team at the training held at our new company offices in Melbourne.

Karen’s 32 years of dedicated service to Gippsland Water

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One of our Victorian clients Gippsland Water had a bit of fun recently when one of our staff celebrated 32 years of service. Karen Malley started cleaning the offices at what used to be the Latrobe Valley Water and Sewerage Board back in March 1982. Here in the reversal of roles Gippsland Water’s Managing Director David Mawer is shown with a feather duster while Karen enjoys sitting back and relaxing. We are pretty sure David seldom ever puts his feet up but great to see he entered into the spirit of the occasion.

Asked what the secret is to being a good cleaner Karen replied, “Keeping an eye open. Spotting the areas that are looking a bit grubby and giving them an extra bit of attention is the key”.

Congratulations Karen, we hope you make that 40 years milestone we know you’re aiming for too.

Time to finally get those Golf Clubs

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Kevin Lucas has been a leading supervisor at our Redland City Council (RCC) Gatehouse contract for the last 5 years.  He has had a significant influence on this contract from his passion for the job to his reliability and knowledge of systems and processes.  Importantly, he has earned enormous respect from our team and our client.

In recognition of his time, service and loyalty, Pickwick’s Security Services Manager Ray Freeman presented Kevin with a special plaque made for him at a dinner held in his honour along with his RCC teammates.

Well done Kevin, we wish you all the very best in retirement and thank you from all of us at Pickwick.

Pickwick congratulates Annette Jones on 20 years’ service

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It is not often in this industry that a company can lay claim that an employee has given 20 years loyal service.  Pickwick sends congratulations to Annette Jones who has accomplished this milestone.

During her time with Pickwick Annette has mainly serviced Brisbane City Council (BCC) sites and has done so in a most professional and diligent manner. Annette’s efforts are also appreciated by her BCC clients and Michael Oakden, her direct Manager, has received many compliments about her work when carrying out cleaning audits.

Dedicated staff need to be acknowledged.  Pickwick presented a bouquet and some gift cards for Annette and her partner Noel as a small token of our appreciation.

On behalf of all of us at Pickwick we thank Annette for her past 20 years of service and loyalty.

An opportunity to say ‘Thank you’

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Pickwick was granted an opportunity to show thanks to its Brisbane City Council Brisbane Square cleaning crew by having a BBQ get together with the team and partners at New Farm Park last month. Everyone that attended had an absolute ball! What had originally intended to be a short lunch started at 10.00am and finished at 4.30pm. Good to see our staff know can have a good time and let their hair down in a responsible manner.

The day not only showed our staff are a team outside of work but gave Pickwick an opportunity to show our cleaners’ hard work is appreciated. Pickwick supervisor Scott Mackie made a short ‘thank you’ speech to the team on behalf of Pickwick.

O-l Glass: National Contract Wins

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Pickwick Group are excited to announce that we have been awarded 3 of O-l, (Owens Illinois) manufacturing plants in Australia.  O-I is a US based corporation and global glass manufacturer with plants throughout South East Asia and internationally.

Pickwick have been successful in winning the Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney plants with Sydney holding the title as the largest glass manufacturer in South East Asia.

Many of the cleaning maintenance systems are unique to the glass manufacturing process and require very specific cleaning outcomes. Pickwick were able to demonstrate that during our 30 year plus history we have gained considerable experience in many demanding cleaning environments and tailor specific cleaning outcomes to meet our client’s needs.

Building Services Contractors Association of Australia – 2013 Australian Super Excellence Awards

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Winner of the industry’s Outstanding Individual Award for South-East Queensland in 2013 goes to Pickwick Cleaning Supervisor Sharon Stewart.

Based at Brisbane Airport, Sharon supervises a large team in an ever changing operational environment for our client, Australian Customs and Border Protection.  Sharon is an important member of the Pickwick team, she continually strives to develop new ways of improving the services for our client.

Sharon manages her team in such a positive way that any issues that may arise are dealt with quickly and effectively.  Sharon always uses her initiative to pre-empt any changes that may occur on a daily basis and organises the staff accordingly.

Her continued hard work, attitude and positive approach will always hold her highly within our company and is a well deserving winner of this award.

Congratulations Sharon from all the team at Pickwick.

Pickwick Queensland nominated for 2013 Mission Australia Employer Awards

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Ken Holder, Pickwick’s CEO was thrilled when he heard that the Company had been nominated for the Mission Australia Employment Solutions 2013 Employer Awards.

Queensland Client Services Manager Amanda Kratzke deserves the credit for our nomination with her commitment to the Mission Australia job network and providing local job seekers with local employment opportunities.

Amanda has been able to place many Mission Australia job seekers with meaningful employment and we have gained many new and committed members to our team, a real ‘Win-Win.’

Pickwick awarded major school portfolio in Victoria

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After an exhaustive tender and short list process, Pickwick were chosen as the successful cleaning provider for a recent DTZ-UGL schools tender in Victoria.

State Manager Tim Broach commented that Pickwick were thrilled to win the 11 school portfolio and looked forward to building a strong and productive relationship with all the key stakeholders.

Having provided cleaning services to prestigious Melbourne schools for many years Pickwick is well placed to ensure the highest quality of service is provided to our new clients.

Pickwick cleans up at Tough Mudder

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Barb wire and electric shocks didn’t deter the ambitious team from our Queensland Cleaning division.  Tough Mudder is an aptly named 20 kilometre run with a series of physical and some might say even more mental challenges.

The first event for 2013 was held in Australia at Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast and attracted more than 24,000 entrants. It injected an estimated $10 million into the local economy.

Though somewhat weary afterwards the Pickwick team had a great day and all our participants finished this gruelling race. We were surprised as much as they were!  For a cleaning and facilities services company we were more than happy to get down and dirty for the first Tough Mudder held on the Sunshine Coast.

Better get training for next year!