Apprentices help provide vital services to communities

When the lockdown was called on Monday 23 March, the new restrictions caused considerable disruption to all services provided by the Council. Teams had to adapt quickly, ensuring that the workforce was protected while continuing to deliver vital services including general waste and food waste collections.

On Monday 4 May, Cleansing Services reinstated the kerbside recycling service with support from HAS apprentices and their team leaders. They received essential health and safety training and were quickly out with the crews delivering vital waste collection services.

Councillor Elena Whitham, Cabinet Member for Housing and Communities said: “Continuing to deliver services across East Ayrshire during this crisis has been a team effort. Our employees have stepped up, volunteering to support their colleagues and our communities. They are working outside their area of expertise but have demonstrated flexibility and commitment to the people we serve. I am very appreciative of their efforts and I know that our communities are too.

“It has also been reported that Cleaning Services are our fittest employees based on the number of steps taken during just one shift by a HAS apprentice. He took 35,000 steps, the equivalent of almost 15 miles and has nothing but respect for our Waste Services crews.”