Growing a Great Future
Matt Evans has been on an extended work experience placement (one day a week) with Yate Town Council parks maintenance department since October 2003. Mark Williams, Maintenance Manager, and other council staff, have been helping Matt experience the range of work the various departments in Yate deal with – and getting him wielding rakes, secateurs and clipboards!
Sharon Randall, Matt’s Connexions personal adviser, visited him whilst he was out with Mark in Kingsgate Park. “It gives me the opportunity to talk to Matt and his employer and make sure everything is going to plan,” said Sharon. “And it’s interesting to find out what Matt has been doing." ”Matt has been doing many different tasks such as pruning and leaf management,” said Mark. “Today he’s helping with the weekly health and safety check of the children play areas. It’s a really important part of our work”.
Mark
has been helping Matt put together a portfolio of the work he has
done whilst with the department, including health and safety paperwork,
photos and progress reports on areas such as park improvements. He’s
also encouraging Matt to record what he does each day on a timesheet.
“When you are really busy it’s easy to forget what you
have been doing. This way Matt will be able to appreciate all the
skills he has developed.”
“Matt has been great during his work experience, and has worked really hard,” said Mark. “I’d be more than happy to give him a reference when he applies for a job.”