David CelEBrates 45 Not Out

David Foster, who is a mobile plant operator at Viridor Waste Management’s Salmon Pastures recycling and waste transfer operation in Sheffield, has just celEBrated 45 years in the industry. A long time resident of Scholes, Rotherham, David clearly likes his job, because he’s not ready to retire yet!

To mark the occasion a range of celEBrations was arranged, starting with a cheque presentation. On Friday April 8, there was a night out with colleagues at Owerton dog track. For the weekend of April 22, David and his wife Marlene enjoyed a double celEBration, courtesy of Viridor, with a weekend break at Masham in North Yorkshire, which also marked Marlene’s 60th birthday.

David’s early career comprised three years in the steel industry, but he turned to the waste management industry because he likes working outside and because it offered good pay and prospects.

For the past six years he has worked on the recycling of construction and demolition waste. The previous 20 years were spent working at Parkwood Landfill as a machine operator and before that David was with Attwoods who were bought by the Parkwood Group. He started his career in waste with JM Roper working as a machine driver/ labourer on a local landfill.

“I’d recommend waste management to young people today, because it offers lots of scope and it’s good for the environment,” David said. “Of course it’s very different from the way it was, but that is entirely good.”

Simon Catford, Viridor’s human resource director said, “The company offers its congratulations and thanks to David for such great service and an impressive achievement. It also illustrates that the waste and recycling industry can offer a rewarding and successful career choice.”

Viridor has a range of proactive employment policies. At the present time the company has a graduate trainee programme, and is now actively recruiting for the autumn 2005 intake. “An increasing number of the company’s senior and middle managers have successfully completed this programme and are making their mark in important and challenging roles within the company,” said Catford.

The company employs a range of professionally qualified graduates in a wide variety of roles. Relevant disciplines include civil engineering, environmental management, town and country planning, chemistry, geology, and business studies.

VWM also supports its employees at all levels to gain further qualifications. These range from vocational qualifications (NVQs/COTCs) to masters’ degrees and memberships of appropriate professional bodies.