Photo credit: Bristol live
The first refugees to be hired as binmen in Bristol have started their jobs as part of a new initiative to train recent arrivals in the city for jobs that will improve their lives.
BristolLive reports that Mazin and Khalid Ali have successfully completed a program called Bridge to Employment. This program, run by Ashley Community Housing, supports refugees and migrants in securing local employment.
The brothers are now fully trained refuse and recycling loaders. They have joined a team that collects and recycles bins around Bristol. More refugees and migrants are expected to graduate from the program and get jobs at Bristol Waste and other key roles in the city.
The partnership between ACH and Bristol Waste works both ways – as well as the program teaching refugees how the world of employment in Bristol works and what will be expected of them, it also means employers like Bristol Waste are supported to understand better and help overcome the challenges refugees face in adapting to a new country, new systems and a new city.
Ceri Hodgkinson, Bristol Waste’s director of people, said, “We are thrilled to have partnered with ACH on the Bridge to Employment program. Our work keeping Bristol clean and safe is vital to the city, and our goal is to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone.
“This program has been a fantastic step in that direction, and we understand it has made a positive difference to those who followed the program, and especially our new colleagues who have started their career journey with Bristol Waste.”
