“I like nature and being outside” – Leah’s Story
Leah started working at Groundwork as a Green Team Apprentice in 2019.
Before then she’d worked in retail, hospitality, warehouses, call centres, kitchens, and more, desperately trying to find something she could sink her teeth into and call a career.
When she saw the Green Team Apprenticeship role at Groundwork she thought, “Well I like nature and being outside plus I’m not afraid of hard graft…so why not!”
First year apprenticeship
The first year was challenging, with lots of new things that Leah had to learn quite quickly. With support from her Supervisor Dave and due to Leah’s determination, she picked up all the new skills required for the job, including block paving, fencing and on-site behaviour.
As well as hard landscaping, Leah began learning more about horticulture side of the role. She had always enjoyed gardening in her personal life but through her new role she learnt lots more about plant identification and what to plant where.
Second year apprenticeship
In the second year of the apprenticeship, Leah was able to embed her knowledge by sharing her insights with the two new apprentices who joined the Green Team.
Leah was also given her own project to lead on; ordering materials independently and leading work on the ground, building her confidence and setting her up for her long-term career.
Full-time employment on the Green Team
At the end of her apprenticeship programme, Leah was invited to join the Landscaping team in a full-time capacity. Land Manager Adam commented,
Leah demonstrated very good attributes on the Green Team – good communication skills – good attention to detail – and clearly the potential to progress further within the section. So naturally I was pleased to be able to offer her an interview for a full-time post in the Land Team, which she was successful with.
Since becoming a full-time member of the team, Leah has been promoted to Land Team Leader.
The future
Leah is extremely pleased with her decision to start a career in Landscaping with Groundwork. She is thankful to her supervisor and the team around her who have always pushed her to thrive and reach her potential. She commented,
I can honestly say this experience has changed my life for the better. It might sound silly but I feel more confident overall when I’m interacting with people, not just at work but in her wider life. I am proud of how far I’ve come in just over four years and am thankful to everyone at Groundwork who have helped provide guidance.
As well as continuing with her work as a Land Team Leader at Groundwork Leah is using her skills in her personal time in a voluntary capacity. She is keen to turn a dilapidated field at the back of her house into a managed nature site. Leah shares Groundwork’s vision to provide more greenspace where people can enjoy walks and have picnics and where wildlife can thrive without being disturbed.