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Trainees give business park green makeover

Walsall's Premier Business Park has been undergoing a green transformation thanks to the efforts of a team of Environmental Task Force clients from local training charity Steps to Work.

The team have spent the last 3 months undertaking a variety of grounds maintenance work on the park's numerous green spaces. The group have carried out ground keeping duties, landscaping and the tidying up of green spaces within the business park area. Overgrown hedges, grass and shrubs have been cut back or pruned to give the dilapidated areas a much needed face lift. Seeing the positive changes the group are making to the area, grateful business owners have also allowed the trainees to landscape a small area of the park using their own design.

Each trainee on the Jobcentre Plus supported scheme designed their own centre piece 'landscaped area' using 3D computer software which was presented to the business park's Board. The winning design was developed by trainee Lee Marlow but the board members were impressed by the quality of the designs from all of the trainees.

The project came about through the partnership forged earlier this year between the Business Park, Walsall Chamber of Commerce and Steps to work and is already proving to be a great success for everyone involved.

Strong links between the project and many local businesses have been formed with several companies donating equipment and materials for the trainees to use. As a result, 2 trainees have now found jobs with companies on the park and this success is encouraging other unemployed people to join the project. It is hoped that more job opportunities will be created as the scheme develops.

Pat Newland, Chair of Premier Business Park, is delighted with progress of the project so far: "The team are doing a wonderful job dealing with the grounds maintenance on the park and the area looks much better already. The scheme is a great example of successful partnership working between local businesses and other organisations and it's very rewarding to be involved."

Project team leader Shaune Calame said: "The project has provided our clients with real 'hands on' experience and is a great opportunity for them to market their skills and abilities to potential local employers. The support of Premier Business Park has been fantastic and we've had a really positive response from local businesses."

Longer term, the Business park is seeking to replace all of the existing landscaping are currently seeking a design partner to assist with this. And with the continued commitment of all partners, the scheme looks set to go from strength to strength.