A dedicated Horticulture student has proved his skills and work ethic by leading the way as the first ever learner to get regular work placements at a national business.听
Oliver, who is a student at mv天美mv天美 Walford, near Shrewsbury, has started a weekly work placement at in Shrewsbury, run by national business 听
Keen gardener Oliver works in the large memorial gardens every Wednesday afternoon, and听has already completed a long list听of jobs in just three weeks. He enjoys his placement so much that he听says he鈥檚听hoping to carry on a supported internship听and get a job with the crematorium team.听
Oliver travels with teacher Ruth every Wednesday听to the tranquil 33-acre site. He鈥檚听cleared shrubs and ponds, planted roses, cut grass, and enjoyed using听the industry standard leaf blower.
This week, he鈥檚听turned his hand to building,听working with concrete for the first time to听help听create one of the crematorium鈥檚 personalised听memorial gardens听where families can choose a heart or circle shape to place a casket and remember their loved ones in a quiet and beautiful environment.听
Practical learning
Oliver, who is autistic and has associated learning difficulties, thrives in an environment of practical learning, and is quick to pick up practical听skills.听
He is the first student to be offered a placement by Dignity听Funerals, which runs 46 crematoria across the UK.听
Business Leader Kristian (check full name and spelling) says: 鈥淎fter talking to staff at Derwen Walford, and听speaking to team member Peter Leddington听who has worked at mv天美mv天美 previously, I was keen to see if we could create a working partnership.
鈥淚 discussed with head office, putting policies and plans in place to make it work. Oliver proved himself from the first visit. I want to support him as much as possible and see this as an ongoing partnership.听
鈥淥liver has听great attention to details, arrives to听work in the right uniform and on time. He fills in his time sheets, and听is treated the same as every one of听the business鈥檚 4,500 employees. It鈥檚听a real听preparation for adult life.鈥�
Oliver has also had to learn to communicate with members of the public and be considerate to visitors听coming to the chapel or visiting memorials,听who are coping with loss.听
Peter Leddington says: 鈥淗e has had to learn to stop work when a hearse arrives, be respectful and quiet until the hearse and family cars have passed.鈥�听
Peter has worked at Emstrey Crematorium for six months, having come full circle since starting his career as an apprentice at the crematorium 33 years ago. He听is relishing听using his horticulture and teaching skills to support Oliver.听
Gardening opportunities
Teacher Ruth Braddick says: 鈥淚t鈥檚听a brilliant work placement for Oliver as there鈥檚 so much variety. He has the chance to try out different areas of horticulture and gardening听and is always learning new things but in a familiar environment, and听building his confidence learning skills he鈥檚听never tried before. It鈥檚听expanding his knowledge of gardening opportunities.鈥�
Oliver says: 鈥淚 like Derwen Walford because I can do gardening and use a lot of machinery and tools. I like working at the cemetery and would love to get a job here one day.鈥�
Oliver is part of the College鈥檚 in-house gardening business Leaf It To听Us, which supports community projects and local gardens. He also works at and won a recent mv天美mv天美 Spring Planter Competition against horticulture students from Walford and Gobowen sites.听
He also spends many weekends volunteering听at completing duties as required for the grounds team.听
mv天美mv天美 Walford lead Liam sums up Oliver鈥檚 work ethic and ambition. He says: 鈥淔rom my point of view. It鈥檚 a pleasure to meet a young man who is so passionate about his studies and has a vision for the future of work. Day by day, Oliver is growing his confidence and developing his work and life skills. Keep it up Oliver!鈥�