Local Students Gain Workplace Insights

Fifteen year 10 students from five local secondary schools benefited from work placement opportunities hosted by Osborne, in partnership with Slough Borough Council, (SBC) over the summer.

From shadowing repairs operatives to community investment, working with the call centre, customer experience, gas and planned works teams, the Osborne and Slough Borough Council Neighbourhood services teams dedicated over 500 hours of support, providing a great insight into the work they do together in partnership.

Last December, Osborne Communities commenced a contract with the Council for planned works and repairs to over 7,000 homes, central to which is a commitment to providing education, employment and skills opportunities for local people.

Comments from the students included:
“Many thanks for allowing me to spend time with all the teams- I really have gained an understanding of how Osborne works with SBC to ensure all repairs and maintenance of council properties” Pupil A.
“I am now re-thinking my career aspirations; I enjoyed working with the planned works team and would possibly like to look into this as a future career” Pupil B.
“I enjoyed working with your teams, but specifically the project with local volunteers helping to re-vamp a local sheltered housing scheme – a great project to be involved in and add to my CV- thank you” Pupil C.

Jo Fletcher, Head of Engagement at Osborne Property Services, said: “We actively encourage local students to join us at our office in Langley which we share with Slough Borough Council.  This experience provides an opportunity to introduce young people to the reality of working life and to help them secure and sustain employment. Our people benefit too as they have the opportunity to engage, inspire and inform young people about  what working life is really like.”