Making a clean sweep on the Metro

An innovative partnership between Churchill Contract Services and Ingeus led to three people from the North East returning to work in the professional cleaning sector. John Hunter, Davy Wilkinson and Lee Walton joined a team of around 90 cleaning professionals from Churchill who work at the city's Metro stations, maintaining high standards for thousands of passengers each day.

Churchill's determination to employ local people on their cleaning contract was the driving force behind a partnership with Ingeus. Through the Work Programme, Ingeus supports people who have been unemployed for more than a year with a range of job-seeking services including writing an effective CV, learning how to get the most from interviews and searching for suitable jobs.

Previously, 46-year-old Lee Walton worked for a major retailer, delivering and installing domestic appliances. However, the recession led to him being made redundant.

He spent two years completing endless job applications, but to no avail. “I soon found out that the competition for each job vacancy was intense, and whilst I do have a range of skills, Ingeus taught me how to sell myself in the best possible way. They arranged for me to be interviewed by Churchill, and I was appointed there and then!” “Ingeus provides a really valuable service in helping us fill our vacancies with motivated candidates who are ready to work,” said Louisa Clarke from Churchill Contract Services. “Our contract to clean Metro stations means we are constantly looking for people with the right attitude and transferrable skills. John, Davy and Lee are excellent examples of how, working together, we can find people who really want to work.”