Housing Hartlepool takes part in Canadian work exchange

Housing Hartlepool’s best practice has gone international with a Canadian exchange work placement.

Gary Takhar, 32, who works for Vancouver-based British Columbia Housing Management Commission (BC Housing), has travelled thousands of miles to expand his knowledge and experience by spending two weeks with Housing Hartlepool.

He will spend his time touring Housing Hartlepool projects, shadowing managers, visiting different departments and also visiting Tristar Homes in Stockton.

Takhar, who is a project technologist involved in the facilitation and administration of building contracts,has been staying at the home of Housing Hartlepool’s Brian Robinson who will take a trip to Canada later in the year.

The aim is for the two organisations to exchange ideas and knowhow and share best practice.

Gary Takhar said: “My organisation will benefit immensely from this trip. My aim is to learn as much as I can about another country’s work systems, regulations and ethos.

“This experience will be invaluable to, not only my personal development, but to that of my colleagues at BC Housing with whom I will share what I have learnt.”

Housing Hartlepool technical support manager Brian Robinson, 49, will be travelling to Vancouver in October to spend two weeks at the British Columbia Housing Management Commission.
He said: “I will be looking at best practice within the Canadian social housing system. I hope to gain a better understanding of social housing in another country and to see what I ideas I can bring back to Housing Hartlepool.”