PlaceMakers backs Mandarin-speaking LBPs

For almost seven years, PlaceMakers has been committed to helping its builders earn their required Licensed Building Practitioner (LBP) points. While the framework of the points system has changed over the years, our investment in providing point-earning learning opportunities, which are required to renew their licences, has not

PlaceMakers customers can earn all their elective points required over a two-year period through PlaceMakers initiatives such as reading Under Construction (available in hard copy and online) and attending PlaceMakers Skills Maintenance training seminars throughout NZ.

Builders can set up their profile online called ‘MY LBP’, which allows them to check their progress (eg, completed and incomplete quizzes) and review, print or email quiz results as proof of their learning.

PlaceMakers also seeks to help LBPs complete their mandatory activities – reading Codewords articles and documenting on-the-job learning – by including all Codewords article in Under Construction – both in print and online. You can track your progress for these on ‘MY LBP’ as well.

Catering for chinese builders

With the Chinese building community estimated to be involved in the construction of 30% of properties built in Auckland, PlaceMakers has initiated a series of LBP seminars translated into Mandarin for builders in this region.

PlaceMakers Mt Wellington, New Lynn and Albany host Mandarin LBP sessions for their customers in conjunction with key suppliers and the feedback is overwhelmingly positive.

LBP sessions – June 2018

The most recent series, completed in June, was co-hosted by Winstone Wallboards, which manufactures GIB plasterboard, and the training focused on GIB Intertenancy Barrier Systems for Terrace Homes. Builders received two LBP skills maintenance points for attending.

PlaceMakers New Lynn

PlaceMakers New Lynn welcomed around 80 builders to its session, which PlaceMakers Asian Segment Trade Sales Manager Jeff Li said was hugely successful.

“Our Chinese customers have always been very willing to learn, it’s just that previously many of them haven’t been able to get a lot of value from our seminars because of the language barrier,” said Jeff. “We had a great turnout and feedback was really good; we had a lot more engagement and questions.”

Max from Treasure Homes Ltd was very grateful to PlaceMakers for “arranging an LBP session in Chinese, it just makes our job much easier. Please keep doing it”.

PlaceMakers Mt Wellington

PlaceMakers Mt Wellington also hosted a successful LBP session for its Chinese builder customers, with more than 50 builders in attendance.

Asian Business Manager Keven Chen said they received positive feedback from attendees, who were touched by the initiative.

“I was very inspired by PlaceMakers commitment to helping builders from different communities,” said Auckland builder Roy.

Simon said it was a great learning opportunity: “It’s good to learn a new system and great to come to an innovative seminar where I can understand the content.”

PlaceMakers Albany

PlaceMakers Albany also had a great turnout at their session, with 40 customers attending. Albany Account Manager Ming Chen said the builders were very grateful for the opportunity.

“Great stuff!”, said attendee Mr Xing. “No other merchant has ever done such a great job of hosting such a fantastic seminar, which delivers extra value to me. Thanks PlaceMakers and Winstone Wallboards. I will keep on using PlaceMakers as my main supplier.”