"We are all familiar with the green bins and we know we should separate our plastics from bio-degradables, but for me, recycling inspired my new career and now I've landed my ideal job.

After I was referred to A4e, my placement adviser Osian Hughes mentored me on a one-on-one basis and it was his job to discover what my interests and aspirations were. I made a list of the things I wanted to do and having an environmentally friendly position was at the top of it.

Osian was intrigued to find that I was very keen to work in recycling and matched me onto a 12 week placement with Parry and Evans. The placement was to be an opportunity for me to impress and it seems like I did a good job for me to prove myself a valuable asset because when I finished the placement, they created a position especially for me!

I'm now in my eighth month of full employment with the firm as a yard operator responsible for the destruction of confidential information, and I've completed training on fork-lifts and a range of recycling-specific equipment.

I love working as a small team of four. I am up at 6am every morning, and I'm always willing to learn new skills or how to operate new machinery. It's important for me to keep changing my attitude, be motivated and do the best for myself and for the world around me.

I still try to practise what I preach both at home and at work. I'm raising awareness of waste and recycling in my community and having an active part in it. I wanted to keep up my environmentally friendly profile so I've recently bought a bike to ride to work!"

A4e Wales works in partnership with the Welsh Assembly, Government Department of Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS), Jobcentre Plus and other training providers and local employers to help its customers in Wales gain new skills and get a job. For help, advice and support, please call your local A4e office or visit our website listed to the right of this page.

Article by Robert Parkes