Workplace is a recruitment centre in Newham that is committed to helping employers find the right local people to work for them and to supporting local people who want those jobs. Our free service is on offer to Newham residents and employers across London.
Taking a shine to Westfield
September 30, 2011
After a long wait, Westfield’s doors are finally open. The huge shopping centre is as shiny as a new pin, but its polished floors and smudge-free windows are something most shoppers will take for granted.
Not Edison Da Silva Teixeira, one of more than 70 Newham residents who found work as a cleaning operative with GBM Support Services through the council jobs service, Workplace.
Like all GBM cleaning operatives, Edison chose a shift pattern that suits him. He takes pride in his work and its unique setting, saying: “The opening of Westfield was incredible. All the GBM operatives were there. There was a great team feeling on the day. I love working under pressure, keeping things tidy so we can receive our guests. “The best thing about the job is working in a small team to tackle tasks. And the support; if we have a problem, we just call our supervisor from GBM, Lyn, and she’s there. She’s very helpful.
The path into work has been fairly smooth for Edison. Having spent two years studying at Newham College of Further Education in East Ham, he walked into Workplace off the street one day.
He was assigned an advisor, Saira, and assessed on his literacy and numeracy. Once he was offered the job at GBM, he completed specialist training and started work. But the relationship with Workplace didn’t end there: “I still go to Workplace to talk to Saira about how it’s going.
At Workplace it’s all very local and that makes it feel much more supportive and the jobs more interesting,” he says.
In addition to having job satisfaction and a very competitive wage, Edison says: “Working for GBM means that I can provide for my family. That’s always been my goal GBM Support Services Group provides cleaning services at Westfi eld Stratford City. The company is keen to continue recruiting via Workplace and is currently looking to fill window cleaning roles.
More than 4,000 cleaning operatives will be required for the Olympic Games period. Workplace will start to recruit for these roles shortly.
For more information on Workplace and the jobs available call 020 3373 1101.