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Guri Dhaliwal - Business Instructor and Driver

 

As part of Our People series, we caught up with Guri Dhaliwal in Queenstown.

Guri has been with Waste Management for three years, joining the company back when we took over the Queenstown Lakes District Council contract. His first job was to manoeuvre an electric trike through the Queenstown CBD to empty public bins. With incredible hard work and determination, today Guri is a Business Instructor and Class 5 Driver.

We asked him some questions about being part of the Waste Management team.

What is your current role at Waste Management?

I’m the Queenstown Business Instructor as well as the Class 5 truck and trailer driver, delivering compactor bins from our local RTSs to landfill.

I go to work every morning full of energy and positivity. I love this job and always enjoy my time at work.

What are some of the challenges?

As an immigrant who started from the bottom, the whole journey was tough and challenging. I definitely faced communication barriers, but I am very glad that I didn’t give up and kept going. Every day offers a new lesson.

In my job interview I was offered the electric bike role. I didn’t have any experience, but from there I worked my way up to electric truck, then rear loaders, side arms, hook trucks, loader, forklift, and manning the weighbridge. I also had the chance to learn how to drive a skip truck and front loader with our commercial team.

I can proudly say that I am now multiskilled and can operate in many positions across the branch.

What would you like everyone to know about Waste Management?

I like to improve and look for opportunities within the company. I am pleased that I chose Waste Management, where there are heaps of opportunities for improving and upskilling. I work hard and believe in progress. Thanks to my management for recognising my work ethic and hard work. ​​​​​​​

We are proud to have you as part of our team Guri!