Unique experiences through a new partnership

Academi Adra’s Ground Maintenance 16-week paid work placement has just finished. 

Placements were available with North Wales Housing and for the first time ever, The National Trust over in Penrhyn Castle where valuable and unique experiences have been offered through the placement. 

Ground Maintenance was the focus of this placement, with both working alongside experienced workers learning new skills and getting hands on through gardening, maintaining outdoor spaces and improving the local landscape. Additionally, both were given opportunities to work as a team and gain confidence and see first-hand all the career opportunities within Grounds Maintenance and Estate Management.  

The Scheme proves how working in partnership like this, can offer useful opportunities that help young people gain experience, develop employability skills and take positive steps towards employment in the future.  

The first step to employment

Academi Adra is committed to helping people into the world of work and providing valuable opportunities like this. By working in partnership with other organisations, we can offer a wide range of real-life work experiences that help young people develop skills and progress in their chosen careers. 

Over the 16-week placement, Dafydd and Thomas have gained a broad range of experience, from operating the RSV vehicle to learning how to carry out grass-cutting safely. 

Ceri Ellis-Jackson, Academi Adra Programme Lead at Adra, said:  

“Experiences like this can open so many doors for people by helping them move into employment, further training and new opportunities. We now work regularly with other housing associations across North Wales, but it’s fantastic to extend the reach and impact of Academi Adra into other sectors as well.” 

A recent Construction Work Placement programme has now come to an end, and our Introduction to Housing Course began in September. Both programmes offer very different experiences and opportunities for more young people across North Wales. 

Following the success of this placement, we are also delighted to announce that Thomas has secured a second 16-week work placement and will be continuing at Penrhyn Castle. 

Congratulations, Thomas, and best of luck with your second placement.