After reading a post by Brian http://www.landscapejuicenetwork.com/forum/topics/school-leavers-and-no-apprenticeships-available-for-them I thought rather than hijack his particular post that I would share something on a similar topic.
Two weeks ago I took on a young girl (part time hours) who had been expelled from sixth form college due to taking methadone. Her mother wanted someone to guide her and act I guess as a bit of a father figure, she also mentioned that I would be a good influence for her!
I was very concerned and I run a very tight ship particularly where drugs are involved. Believe me, I’m not looking to give anything back to society or become a charity, I run a business and must make a profit to be sustainable but I did however agree to a trial period with strict ground rules.
To be honest I wasn't expecting anything from her. However she turned up the first day 10 minutes early and went out to do a 3 hour leaf clearance. Not once did she look at her mobile phone and only stopped for a break when I suggested it. She worked with such passion, enthusiastic and pride in her work and was smiling ear to ear non-stop.
The second day she again arrived 10 minutes early and we spent 4 hours edging up the paths of a large commercial estate. Again, nothing rocket science but showed her once how I wanted her to do it and she just got on with it.
The third outing was to assist with a large 2 day hedge cutting job. Whilst I trimmed the hedges she raked up and bagged ½ a ton of waste and got nearly every laurel leaf!
The last outing she mowed a large grass field at a block of flats and boy could she mow – 10 minutes to explain and show the required mowing method and particularly the turning technique and she was off and I don’t think she stopped smiling all the time she done it. Given time and more guidance I can’t see any reason why she wouldn’t be more than capable of mowing some of the more formal lawns, you just know if a person has that ability and desire.
At the end of each day out, we discussed how the day went and what we could of done differently etc. and I was totally blown away by some of the things she spotted, for example that I missed counted the number of bags of waste on one job and therefore I undercharged my client, queried why I always stop for a Starbucks or Costa coffee on route whereas it would be more efficient use of my time if I brought a flask out with me! To even questioning the job scheduling methods that I had adopted.
I fully appreciate that it is early days and she may slip back to her old ways but she knows the rules and that would be her choice but from what I have seen, she just wants an opportunity to do something positive. She really enjoys working outside, her personality has completely changed and I know that she hasn’t been sniffing my fertiliser!
I can’t believe how much I have enjoyed working with her and whilst it is still early days I have a good feeling that she will quickly progress and be more than the chief tidy upper but a valued member of the team. Okay it is also nice to have the van smelling of something sweeter than rotting grass and hedge trimming.
We have agreed that if and it is conditional on a big IF that she continues to work to the same standard and remains off drugs that I would sponsor her to undertake formal qualifications next term and she has already started to research suitable local colleges.
I might of just got lucky but I am really glad I went against my better judgement and it has opened my eyes to a side of the youth of today and that not all of them just want to doss around but to be given an opportunity to gain a foothold on the employment ladder and to be given some responsibility and self-respect.
Now I am not for one minute suggesting that we should all go out and embrace a druggie or have all the responsibility on our shoulders to take on the unemployed youth or to gain any brownie points, but if you have the opportunity and are prepared to spend the time and effort, you just might be pleasantly surprised.
I am fully aware of the pitfalls of employing younger personnel and I have in the pasted employed many students over the summer months whilst they are waiting to start university or in-between jobs etc. and with mixed results, but I am now beginning to think that sometimes it may just pay to look past the typical stereo type image of selective segments of the youth of today that I for one previously excluded and to take an educated gamble and hopefully it may be a win win for all parties.
As they say, time will tell but sometimes you just get that gut feeling that everything will work out - I really hope so!
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Replies
Nice one Graeme, hope it works out for you both. That has given me a wee confidence boost to carry out what I posted, gid luck to you mate.
I think this is a terrific post! It sounds like this kid needs exactly what you've got - an outlet for her obviously high energy levels, someone to take her ideas seriously (got to say I grinned at the Starbucks comment!) and somebody to give her a strict framework within which she can operate. I strongly believe that a working environment can be a much more beneficial place for some youngsters than continued schooling and it looks like your girl is one of those youngsters. Good luck with it and fair play to you for giving her a go in the first place.
Dave
www.the-gardenmakers.co.uk
What a top post - i agree with Dave as some people are definitely more suited to a practical environment and this girl clearly needs a mentor with values to show her that life can be good fun with hard work. Really hope it continues to work well for you and her.
Many thanks for your encouraging comments, I was half expecting to receive the usual jokes about stealing the gear and smoking grass etc!!
I know I have probably got lucky with this one but I would say 90% of the younger staff that I have employed over the years only want the opportunity to shine – some of course are more challenging particularly if they have lacked any father figure or structure in their life but most are crying out to be given the chance and as long as they are challenged with real work tasks and not used as the YTS type dog bodies to those of a certain age would remember they will response and deliver.
One of the hidden benefits I have found is that this experience is forcing me to look at how and why we perform certain tasks and to take a fresher look at them – we are do the same job day in and day out and get very confident and just get on with the task at hand often working with military precision. By taking ten minutes out at the start (and end) of the day to re-evaluate the requirements and method of working has identified a number of useful improvements.
We are not charities or social services but we do all have a responsibility to help people gain a foothold into our profession as and when conditions permit.
I am not getting any younger and need to ensure that my business will have suitably trained staff in 5 to 10 years time to allow me to take less of an active role and I would prefer to train someone to my standards and working methods than retrain a gardener who has failed at their own business and now seeking paid employment for which I seem to be receiving a lot of Emails these days!
Right I’m off for a sneaky Starbucks but don’t tell Emily!
good man Graeme
we need too give kids a chance
Inspiring stuff Graeme,
Just goes to show that you really never know.
I'm looking to employ someone this year and it's a real conundrum. Do I go for someone who is older and can drive, ideally with experience or give someone younger a chance. I've heard some horror stories about employees so this is a welcome, positive post.
Brave move and I hope it pays off for both of you.
Welcome back Colin - we have missed you.
I think you have knocked it on the head when you state that the reason we don't always take younger people on is due to our own failure / ability to teach. Very true.
I haven't yet lost any money / income from taking Emily on other than less coffee breaks for me!
Great post Graeme,you may have encouraged me to do the same.
How's Emily work out for you, I came by this 9 year old thread by mistake. I was not a member back in 2012 but I took on a lad same time and he lasted 7 years and became a great friend but sadly moved away. I was happy to learn he got a job with the skills he learnt from me working for a billionaire as his 7th gardener. Everyone needs a chance and during lockdown I think more people with job uncertainty will be keen to prove there worth.
Have any of you guys had success stories of giving people a chance, I've had quitters and failures but the success stories keep me inspired
Well that sounds as if is going very well for both of you. I have been in this business for over thirty years and found that youngsters seem to lose interest after a few weeks and start to cause problems and that don't have a built in work ethic, so we only employ people that are a little bit older and have some experience and a good work record.
When we advertise for workers we make them fill out a form with about a hundred questions which sorts the good workers from the rest, and saves a fortune in not getting time wasters who are just looking for any old job.