Building pathways, not just qualifications
Tuakana-teina co-op
Most cleaning companies focus on the work. We're interested in where the work can lead. Our Skills Programme is built around a simple idea: if someone wants to grow, they should have a pathway to do so. Sometimes that means becoming a supervisor or gaining a formal qualification. Sometimes it means something bigger — running a cleaning business of their own.
The power of tuakana-teina
Our approach is grounded in a tuakana-teina model — the idea that people learn best from people. Not from a manual, not from a classroom alone, but from working alongside someone who's already walked the path. A tuakana shares experience, practical advice, and honest feedback. A teina brings fresh energy, curiosity, and ambition. Both learn along the way. That's the kind of capability-building we're interested in.
What mentoring looks like in practice
Our programme isn't primarily about qualifications — though some participants do complete the New Zealand Certificate in Cleaning and other industry training. The most valuable learning often happens on the job. Things like building customer relationships, pricing and quoting, managing staff, understanding cashflow, health and safety, and running a sustainable business. These are skills that are hard to learn from a workbook. They're learned by doing.
What we did in 2024
Fresh Desk piloted a mentoring programme to help cleaners launch their own cleaning businesses. Over six months, we provided pro bono mentoring to Pradeep Bakthavatsalam and Subasri Karthikeyan — and handed on a customer to help them get started.
Fab Cleaning launched successfully, is generating positive cash flow, pays the Living Wage to its staff, and uses Eco Choice Aotearoa certified products. The programme delivered an estimated $50,000+ in benefit to the community and the New Zealand economy.
Why it matters
The cleaning sector can provide meaningful employment. We think it can provide something more too — a pathway. From unemployment to employment, from employment to leadership, from leadership to business ownership. Not everyone will want that journey, and that's fine. But for those who do, we'd like the bridge to exist. Because success isn't only measured by how many buildings get cleaned. It's measured by how many people leave with more skills, more confidence, and more options than when they arrived.
Keen to support this kaupapa?
We're looking to work alongside organisations that believe good procurement can create good outcomes — government agencies, commercial customers, training providers, and community partners. If you're interested in helping grow pathways into employment, leadership, and business ownership, we'd love to kōrero.