Bilston students hone their skills with work experience project

Pupils aged 13 to 16 from Bow Street School in Bilston have developed practical employability skills they can use in the workplace through a UKSE-funded project run by environmental charity Groundwork West Midlands.

The social impact funder, which works with companies in the West Midlands, supported Groundwork to help students regenerate a site at Bilston Urban Village Nature Reserve to develop their skills through hands-on work experience.

The project consisted of eight sessions in the nature reserve, each attended by six to 10 students. Students participated in a variety of activities, including vegetation removal, trash collection, small tree work and wildflower seed planting.

The sessions were led by Groundwork community project officers, giving students more information about the environment as well as practical skills for managing outdoor spaces that they can use in the workplace.

“It was great to see young people develop valuable life and practical skills that will benefit them in the future,” said UKSE regional manager Mike Lowe.

“UKSE’s main aim is to help businesses grow and develop for the benefit of society, and this project with Groundwork has truly brought this ethos to life.”

Located near the Black Country Route, Bilston Urban Village Nature Reserve is a green space owned by the Land Trust and managed in partnership with Groundwork West Midlands.

Cannock-based UKSE, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Steel UK Limited, supports SMEs in Birmingham, Black Country, Coventry, Staffordshire and Telford by providing strategic loan and equity packages of up to £1 million to drive growth and create local employment opportunities and strengthening the economy,

Clare Harper, headteacher at Bow Street School, said: “The students have done a fantastic job improving the nature reserve for the local community. It was amazing to see their confidence grow as they completed the work.

“The project gave the students a real sense of achievement and helped them develop new skills that they can take to school and into their future jobs.”

Melissa Underwood, head of grounds and environment, added: “The events provided students with valuable insight into the day-to-day responsibilities of a groundskeeper and opened their eyes to potential career opportunities in environmental and nature-based fields.

“It was wonderful to witness their enthusiasm and growing interest in nature and the local environment.”