Employees from Liverpool city council’s green service provider were joined by esteemed guests last night as the fourth annual Glendale Liverpool Recognition Awards took place.
The glittering event, held at Liverpool Town Hall, saw a host of employees, from new recruits and apprentices to team leaders recognised for their achievements over the past 12 months.
Guests included Cllr Steve Munby, city council Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, who opened the ceremony and Olympic bronze -medallist turned motivational speaker Steve Smith, who addressed the employees with an inspiring presentation.
Glendale Liverpool currently looks after all of the city’s parks, cemeteries and recreational spaces, around 170 sites and 14 million square metres of green open space.
The ceremony began with the 11 young people who are set to begin a 12-month pre-apprenticeship programme with Glendale Liverpool receiving certificates from from Cllr Nick Small, city council Cabinet Member for employment and skills.
The pre-apprenticeship programme is open to 16/17-year-old young people that are registered within the city as NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training).
Employees who were in the same position as the pre-apprentices last year and have now secured an extended apprenticeship programme were also honoured, as well as those moving on to an advanced programme and those employees who have completed the five year programme, and have now secured permanent positions at Glendale Liverpool.
Adam Ryan, 25, was one of the apprentices graduating on the night.
He says: “Coming from a disadvantaged background, I had nothing really going for me. When I jumped into this job it kept me on the straight and narrow, it sorted me out and gave me confidence. It turned me into a man.
“Now I’m a mentor for the younger apprentices. The young lad I’ve got now reminds me of myself a little bit when I first started but he’s really taken to it and done a lot in his first year. You look at them and you feel proud that they’ve done so well.
“Without the guidance of other people within Glendale I don’t think I would have turned out as well. It has given me confidence; I’ve turned my whole life around.”
Peter Cosgrove, manager of Glendale Liverpool says: “I am so proud of each and every member of my team here tonight. From the pre-apprentices right through to the top tier employees, they all deserve this recognition and a huge round of applause for their commitment, dedication and hard work. Over the years we have worked hard to instil a sense of civic pride in our workforce and we now have a team of employees who are proud to look after the city’s green spaces and are passionate about what they do. I’d like to congratulate them all on a fantastic achievement.
Our apprentice programme, in association with Myerscough College and with the full support of Liverpool City Council, allows us to give opportunities to young people who may not o have many options open to them. Seeing these young people grow, develop and become successful in their careers has been incredible. They amaze me every day and I’m proud to call them Glendale employees.”
Cllr Munby says: “It’s now 15 years since Glendale and Liverpool City Council started working together and it has proved to be an excellent partnership. Not only do they maintain the city’s green spaces and facilities, but they also share our commitment in motivating and training young people and their apprenticeship scheme is helping to transform lives.
“The one year pre-apprenticeship programme and the three year bespoke apprenticeship programme with Myerscough College delivers on a key pledge of the Mayor of Liverpool by targeting young people who are ‘Not in Education, Employment or Training’.
“Glendale has an apprenticeship programme it can be proud of and I congratulate the organisation and each of the apprentices for their tremendous work in looking after all of the city’s green spaces.”
