Derby City Council, along with Jobcentre Plus and Derby College, is running two two-week ‘pre-employment’ courses for ground maintenance operatives.

The courses comprise of training such as Level 2 award in health & safety in the workplace, manual handling and small machinery handling as exploring employability skills and working within a team. Those successfully completing the course are guaranteed an interview for one of the 12 full-time positions which will begin in mid-April.

Attendees who are not offered a grounds maintenance post after their interview will form a pool of part-trained reserves ready to step in when further vacancies arrive.