A GROUP of young people have signed up to improve local green spaces and their job prospects at the same time.

They will make up the green team, a 12 week employment training scheme that mixes practical work with classroom based sessions, giving young volunteers work skills along the way.

The scheme is run by community charity Groundwork with funding from Braintree Council, in partnership with Greenfields Community Housing.

The green team will be doing a range of minor construction, green space improvement and maintenance work at various sites across the Braintree district.

The team will also work towards City and Guilds qualifications in employability skills and practical horticulture, a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card and improve their maths and English through Functional Skills qualifications.

Sandra Crosby, housing director at Greenfields, said: “The green team has proved to be a huge success in the three previous rounds, with at least 12 out of the 18 participants now in full time employment.

“It’s hugely rewarding to see them benefiting from the experience and to know we’ve helped them along the way. The work the green team does within our communities is fantastic.”

Matt Lawday is a former green team member who is now a full time estate ranger with Greenfields; helping to keep their estates clean and tidy.

He said: “It’s great going home at the end of the day knowing you’ve made a difference to people’s lives.”