Job success blooms from Pride In Your Patch garden scheme

EIGHT people have found employment after taking part in a training scheme linked to the council’s £203million Carmarthenshire Homes Standard programme.

The men have all found work following their involvement in the Pride In Your Patch scheme – a £3.9million project to improve over 4,000 council home gardens.

In total, 24 people have gained new skills, experience and self-esteem as part of the programme, which saw them work alongside the council’s Framework contractors to help lay new pathways, install new handrails and repair defective boundary walls.

Four of them were employed by the contractors they were allocated to as part of their training.

Another four have found work elsewhere in the construction industry following impressive references from the contractors.

The remaining 16 have also received references, as well as coming away from the scheme with health and safety qualifications and environmental awareness; manual handling certificates; qualifications in using tools and equipment and accreditation to work on building sites; plus industry contacts that have set them up well for future employment opportunities.

Cllr Tegwen Devichand, Executive Board Member for Housing, said: “We are thrilled with the success of the Pride In Your Patch training scheme, which has literally changed the lives of eight people so far. And whilst not all have yet found employment, they have all learned new skills and have increased their motivation and self-esteem, which has encouraged them to seek employment elsewhere.”

Cllr Colin Evans, Executive Board Member for Technical Services, added: “We have said before – we’re not only interested in bricks and mortar, we want to use our construction investment to improve the lives of people living in council homes and the surrounding communities.”

The council has worked in partnership with Coleg Sir Gâr to deliver the scheme, with support from Framework contractors Dyfrig Dalziel Ltd, Tycroes Group, RT Contractors, AS Wellington, Morganstone and TRJ; and training providers Trac Training and Working Links.

As well as an opportunity to provide training, Pride In Your Patch also encourages council tenants to take ownership and pride in their garden and community greens, maintaining them and making them their own.

As part of the project, tenants whose gardens qualify for improvements are offered discount on gardening and landscaping products at Travis Perkins builders’ merchants.

For further information about Pride In Your Patch call 01554 784608 or email prideinyourpatch@carmarthenshire.gov.uk