During January 2020 Stirling Community Enterprise in partnership with the Stirling Council Learning and Employability Team and Stirling Council’s Land services supported this years recruitment of Seasonal Gardeners .

Our learners alongside clients of Stirling Council’s Learning and Employability Team were encouraged and supported with the application process.  Those who were unsuccessful were offered a place on a Pre-Employment Training course, delivered by Stirling Community Enterprise.

Participants were provided with inhouse workplace training in manual handling, health and safety in the workplace and safe use of landscaping equipment and machinery.  Training also included employability skills, support and access to wrap around services during their time with us.  The training programme provided the opportunity to undertake work experience with Stirling Council Land Services which was scheduled to start during March 2020.

Unfortunately, after undertaking their initial induction for their work experience, the placements had to be put on hold due to the ongoing situation with Coronavirus and subsequent lock down restrictions being put in place.

The partnership with the Learning and Employability team at Stirling Council continued to support the participants who remained keen to restart their work experience when it was safe to do so  and  an opportunity arose in May 2020 with Stirling Council Waste Services who were recruiting new operatives.

3 of the participants have now successfully secured employment with Stirling Council Waste Services during this current time, due to the excellent partnership working that has taken place, with another securing employment within the retail sector.

The remaining participants continue to be supported, with employment opportunities and hope to commence their work experience opportunity when it is safe to do so.