Exploring the tasks of a property manager through a game

The City of Espoo is attracting young people to the property management sector through games. One game helps with recruitment, while the other introduces newcomers to the tasks of a property manager.  

The development of the games began in January 2024 in cooperation with Espoo’s Premises Department, the city’s experts, and the game developer Virtual Dawn.  
The purpose of the games is to show young people who are planning their studies the types of tasks that property managers handle. The trial is now complete, and Espoo will continue to use the games. 

“Many people are surprised to learn that technical tasks make up 60% of a property manager’s duties in properties managed by Espoo’s Premises Department, with the remainder involving outdoor work. A recruitment game is an excellent way to communicate this. The game consists of visiting different properties in Espoo, carrying out different tasks and communicating with other professionals,” says Area Manager Ville Kaisla from the Premises Department. 

The induction game played with a VR headset helps newcomers explore the tasks of a property manager. Players step into a three-dimensional world, exploring property sites and real tasks that a property manager is responsible for.  

Enea Mane thinks that the game works well as an induction tool and as a support for the instructor. She has studied the field as an apprentice organised by Espoo’s Premises Department and Omnia since the autumn.  

“The game is a very accurate simulation of a property manager’s working day. It creates tasks that need to be carried out throughout the day and teaches you how to plan your working day while addressing any challenges that arise. For example, there may be an abrupt water leak and you must handle it immediately,” Mane says. 

“Every time you complete a task, you receive playful praise,” Kaisla continues.  

In his opinion, the best part of the game is that you can boldly try things out, knowing nothing can really go wrong or break down.  

Local residents had the chance to try both games at the Tapiola, Leppävaara and Kivenlahti shopping centres, and young people in particular enjoyed them. The games have also been shared with educational institutions in the field.  

“Both games allow pupils to test whether they are interested in the field,” Kaisla says. He hopes that the games will be translated into several languages. 

Learn more about the tasks of a property manager through games  (in Finnish),

The City of Espoo’s Digital Agenda programme aims to promote the digitalisation of services, the use of new technology and the adoption of new operating methods.  
With the programme, the city hopes to gain even smoother and more diverse services for residents and other customer groups, but also better productivity and cost-efficiency for the city’s services and administration. The games can also be used by other municipalities and educational institutions. 

Text: Jaana Kalliokoski. 
This article has originally been published in the Espoo-lehti 3/2024. Read other articles in the Espoo-lehti.