A STUDENT from Chadsgrove Educational Trust Specialist College who expressed an interest in becoming a bin man in the future was given a day to remember by Bromsgrove District Council’s business waste team who paid him a visit.
It came after Billy had been chatting about what he wanted to do in the future as part of work-related learning lessons.
The college is one of the council’s business waste customers and when the team found out about Billy’s aspirations a crew took time to visit the college to give the 19-year-old the chance to see what life was like working on the authority’s bin wagons.
Billy was kitted out – complete with his own high visibility gear and gloves and was able to operate the loader, sit in the cab and even went for a short drive in the waste lorry.
As a thank you for all his hard work, delivering waste services for his school, the crew also presented Billy with a certificate of achievement.
Environmental Services Portfolio Holder, Coun Margaret Sherrey, said: “Chadsgrove is a fantastic place with very caring and dedicated staff.
“Thank you to Martin, Ian, Josh, Simon and Lisa, for arranging to visit.
“The experience clearly meant an awful lot to Billy and shows that although our team provides a commercial service, its roots remain with the communities it serves.
“The footage of the visit is simply heart-warming, and you undoubtedly gave Billy the best day ever.”
Coun Shirley Webb, Portfolio Holder for Wellbeing and Governor of Chadsgrove, said: “The college and school do a fabulous job with internships for students in the local area and I’m so pleased we could help Billy with his dream of becoming a waste operative.
“He had the most wonderful time and will no doubt remember the experience forever.”
Emma Nolan, Preparing for Adulthood, Transition, and Life Beyond Education Coordinator, Chadsgrove Special School, said: “The college and the school work hard to provide unique experiences for our learners, helping them to raise aspirations and prepare and equip them with the tools and skills for life beyond education.
“Thank you to Bromsgrove District Council’s Business Waste Team for giving Billy the opportunity to discover and explore the career of a waste management operative.”
BDC Business Waste Service provide flexible general waste and recycling options for businesses across Worcestershire, Warwickshire, and the West Midlands. To find out more about the services they offer, go to www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/businesswaste.
