Team of new apprentices who are working for environmental services

Sixteen hard working apprentices are being been trained up in environmental services work by Barking and Dagenham Council.

Fourteen of the team are spending one year working in the council’s environmental services department, with the other two apprentices attached to the caretaking section in housing services.

The team earn a wage and get real on-the-job work experience and training. They also spend one day a week at college studying for an NVQ in qualification cleansing and horticulture.

Their main tasks will involve street cleansing, litter picking and road sweeping. They will also be learning about grounds maintenance such as grass cutting, raking, edging, weeding and sports pitch maintenance.

Their horticulture work includes planting grass, trees, shrubs and carrying out pruning. During the winter they will work on removing ice from footpaths and gritting walkways.

Cllr Mick McCarthy, cabinet member for environment, said: “The job market is difficult at the moment, so we feel it’s important to give local people the chance to get into employment and learn new skills. This scheme is a great opportunity to get valuable training which could lead to permanent employment.

“These apprentices are enthusiastic, hard working and keen to learn. It’s clear that they have what it takes to make it in their chosen field.”