Every year on International Day of People with Disability we celebrate work milestones across our sites with Years of Service awards. In the lead up to IDPWD on December 3, we're shining the spotlight on some of our many dedicated clients who’ve notched up decades at Bedford!
A number of our APG team members are celebrating work milestones this year, including Dale who has reached 20 years with APG South!
Joining the team as a 24-year-old junior crew member, Dale fondly remembers his first APG jobs.
"I already had some gardening skills from working at other companies before APG, which was handy. In saying that, APG has helped me gain more experience, skills, and qualifications than anywhere else I've worked," Dale says.
"I remember working up near Blackwood, and doing some work for the Mitcham Council."
"I learnt how to drive a manual, and my people skills have improved so much."
A Team Leader for APG South based in Lonsdale, Dale says he's grown both personally and professionally during his time at APG.
"I can see a difference in my skills now compared to when I started. My leaderships skills have improved the most - especially when it comes to running a team and organising jobs for each site," he says.
"I like being a good role model to the younger or newer teams members and helping them improve their confidence - I'm even learning things from them, too!"
And how does he feel about reaching 20 years with APG?
"I'm pretty happy about it, I'm pretty chuffed."
After completing work experience with APG North as a Year 11 student, Ashley went on to officially join the team straight after high school. In the blink of an eye, he is celebrating two decades with us!
"I started with simple jobs like weeding and using the whipper snipper, and now I have my Cert II in Horticulture and my driver's licence thanks to APG," Ashley says.
"I like being outdoors and I love the variety of work - I especially like driving the ride-on mowers."
Also a Team Leader, Ashley enjoys working on every project but says there's a few stand outs from the past 20 years.
"My favourite jobs have been working on developments at Linear Park, Lightsview, and West Lakes," he says.
"(The past 20 years) have been really good - it's gone quick!"
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