Tommi Vilkanen, responsible foreman of Rakennustoimisto Lainio & Laivoranta Oy, has been chosen as the "Champion of the Year 2018" of the Lounais-Suomen piiri ry of the building construction industry.
The basis for the annual recognition is significant merits related to construction. The effort is especially to emphasize the importance of the work management of building construction sites. The champion of the year has been chosen and named annually since 1982.
The recognition granted to the responsible foreman (RAT) Tommi Vilkanen is given for a meritorious and long career. He has worked for J. Laivoranta Oy and Rakennustoimisto Lainio & Laivoranta Oy. Tommi started his working career in 1988 as a bricklayer. While working, he completed a professional degree in construction and a specialized vocational degree. In 2008, he completed a degree (TT-RAT) as a conversion training from employee to foreman. Since then, he has worked as a foreman and corresponding foreman in several different construction sites.
Tommi Vilkanen has been involved in building many projects. In particular, he has become familiar with many of the renovation projects of old culturally significant buildings carried out under the Finnish Museum Agency, such as the renovations of the old stone churches in Mynämäki (2011), Naantali (2012) and Masku (2013). One of the most difficult things in these renovation projects has been to fit modern technology into old structures invisibly. The work has been successful when the users of the premises do not notice any change compared to before.
Special mention should be made of Turku Castle. Renovating old castles is a continuous job, once one end is finished, you have to start again from the other end. Tommi Vilkanen has been involved in repairing Turku Castle since 2007; in 2007-2008 facade repairs of the forecourt, in 2009 work to raise the wall of the forge yard, in 2010-2011 barrier-free entrance from the west tower to the King's Hall, in 2013-2014 work to change the security lights. The most challenging part was to transform the previously impregnable and difficult passageways into accessible ones. In 2016, the basic repair work of the wall started, which is supposed to last 8-10 years. The work has been scheduled mainly for the winter months, which has enabled smoother conditions for the demanding repair work. Each year, one part of the wall that has already been completely renovated is handed over to Senaatti kiintetis, which acts as a customer.
Tommi Vilkanen has also been involved in the working group of the Finnish National Board of Education, which revised the basis of degrees in the field of restoration. Tommi's special fields were stone construction, plastering and work safety.
Tommi Vilkanen has also done significant day work in the cooperation between vocational schools and working life. The main area of focus has been the professional development of masonry, plastering and tiling works.
In addition, Tommi has done a lot of very significant work in the planning, implementation and judging of numerous students' skills competitions (e.g. national Skill Competitions, masonry and tiling competitions at the Turku Construction Fair). His work, actions and actions towards the entire construction industry have been exemplary.
Tommi Vilkanen is self-initiated, planned, precise and conscientious in his work; You could always trust Tommi. Tommi gets along well with people and he takes other employees and contractors into account by including them in work planning so that the work can move forward well. In his work, Tommi Vilkanen emphasizes quality and valuing one's own work, and always strives to make his projects qualitatively and economically good.
Tommi is from Vehmaa, but has lived in Raisio almost all his life. Tommi's family includes a wife and an adult daughter. In his free time, Tommi works as a caretaker in his detached house. Motorcycle and travel are also part of the program.
For more information:
- Markku Leppälehto, Building Construction Industry Association, 040 745 3930
- Tommi Vilkanen, Rakennustoimisto Lainio & Laivoranta Oy, 0400 922 387
- List of previously awarded Champions of the Year
