Property Management as a new Abilympics skill: supporting inclusion, skills and excellence
Property Management is one of the three new skills in the Abilympics competition. In Finland, Property Management has been part of the Taitaja national skills competition for several years as a TaitajaPLUS skill for students with special needs. Hannu Pahajoki, a Property Management and Special Education Teacher with extensive experience in skills competitions, shares insights and experiences from Property Management skill, national competitions and Abilympics, as well as the benefits of participation for competitors and delegations.
Hannu Pahajoki
- Property Management and Special Education Teacher, Spesia Vocational College
- Teaching approach: Strong emphasis on learning by doing and promotes learning through students’ own enterprises
- Competition Attendant in Finnish Taitaja competition activities since 2007, organised several national semi-finals, skill competition manager in Projerty Management in Taitaja 2025 and in TaitajaPLUS skill 2026, support person and judge in Abilympics Metz 2023 in Landscape Gardening.
The Property Management skill in brief
The Property Management skill covers maintenance, servicing and repair of properties, as well as customer service in real estate maintenance companies, municipalities, or industrial companies. The tasks vary from taking care of yard areas, doing minor maintenance and repair work, and monitoring the technology of the property.
Property Management, together with the two other new Abilympics skills – Business and Logistics – represents an expansion of the competition’s scope and reflects the evolving demands of modern industries and vocational excellence.
Abilympics is an international skills competition that enables professionals with special needs to demonstrate their professional competence, commitment and pride on a global stage. It represents the culmination of long-term training, courage and belief in one’s own abilities.
The previous Abilympics in 2023 was held in Metz, France. The atmosphere was supportive yet professionally demanding, and competitors were recognised first and foremost as skilled professionals based on the quality of their work. The competition clearly strengthened participants’ self-confidence, sense of inclusion and belief in their future.
In Metz, I acted both as a student support person and as a judge in Landscape Gardening skill. This dual role offered a broad perspective on competition delivery, assessment and quality assurance. Judging highlighted the high standards of Abilympics and the use of internationally unified assessment criteria, where attention to detail is essential. These experiences are directly relevant to Abilympics Helsinki 2027, and the development of clear, safe and fair competition environments.
Finnish Property Management skill experience as a basis for the Abilympics 2027
In Finland, Property Management has long been part of the TaitajaPLUS competition framework and is now an established, work-based and highly valued skill. Strong annual participation and broad institutional commitment show that Property Management aligns well with students’ competence and the real needs of the property management sector, creating a solid basis for international competition such as Abilympics.
My experience in multiple roles within the Finnish Property Management skill, together with my Abilympics involvement, has given me a broad perspective on skills competitions and the international level of expertise in the sector.
International development and implementation of the Property Management skill
International development of the Property Management skill focuses on accessibility, work relevance and international comparability. Competition tasks must reflect the shared core of property management while allowing for differences in building stock, technology, operating environments and the resources required for the delivery of competitions.
The successful international implementation of the new skill within Abilympics competitions requires proactive communication with sending organisations and continuous development of the skill content to reflect changes in the sector and future competence needs. Clear advance communication about skill content and tasks supports preparation, motivation and participation.
Responsibility for safe, healthy and functional everyday environments makes Property Management a genuinely international skill and a natural part of Abilympics competitions, aligned with the values of professional excellence, inclusion and equality.
A competition that leaves a lasting impact
For me, the Metz competition journey combined intensive professional work with strong community spirit, cultural exchange and new networks. Sharing competition life and free time strengthened group cohesion and created a safe, encouraging atmosphere.
Competitors’ confidence and pride in their own professional competence grew visibly throughout the journey, and Finland’s strong overall success confirmed the high international standard of Finnish vocational special education.
Abilympics Helsinki 2027: an international journey towards competence, confidence and impact
The next Abilympics in Helsinki in 2027 is a significant honour and opportunity for Finland. Hosting the competition enables the creation of a supportive, high-quality environment where competitors can focus on showcasing their skills.
Abilympics is more than a competition: for competitors it is an international journey that makes professional competence visible, strengthens self-confidence and clarifies future direction.
To future competitors and their support teams and delegations: participating in the Abilympics is in itself a significant and courageous achievement. The experiences gained are unique and long‑lasting, supporting competitors far into the future and towards their full potential.
