Quadron has been working with Groundwork, the environmental regeneration charity to provide work experience and placement opportunities for the long term unemployed. As at April 2010 we have 125 Groundwork placements across our contracts, benefitting not only the candidates but also the local communities who receive better standards of maintenance in areas in need of regeneration.
In Southwark recently a member of staff was seconded to us by Groundwork to spend 2 days per week working with one of our parks teams to gain practical experience whilst studying for a level 2 in work based horticulture (Formerly NVQ) which would then give him further experience in order to gain full time employment within the horticultural industry.
The person concerned was Howard Robinson, a local resident who had been unemployed for 15 years mainly due to the fact that he was single parent caring for his 2 children. Howard was initially based at Burgess Park for 3 months and in that time demonstrated to all who worked with him as well as our client that he was a passionate, committed and skilful gardener who wanted to achieve high quality standards of work with the abilities and knowledge that he could offer.
Towards the end of his placement at Burgess Park we were delighted to be able to offer Howard the opportunity of a full time position as an assistant gardener at Southwark Park.
Howard is now part of the team at Southwark Park carrying out the excellent standards of service we provide.
Howard at work - "always smiling"
Terry Burns, Contract Manager, commented "Howard has been a great addition to the team and we were pleased to give him the opportunity of a full time position as he has shown an enthusiasm and commitment that is second to none, he is always smiling and willing to help anyone and has made many friends. The comments we have received about Howard's attitude and standards of work from our client and the park users has been fantastic, long may it continue".
Darren Townsend, Groundwork's Greenskills Training Manager commented that "This is a real success story, Howard has shown to us all a determination and ability to succeed that has now enabled him to gain fulltime employment with Quadron and I know that he will continue to develop as part of the team at Quadron".