A career in local government is one many choose for the sense of purpose it offers, and the sector attracts people who are often the everyday unsung heroes of our society.
One of the great things about local government is that many colleagues establish long-term loyalty to their employer and, before you know it, decades of their careers and lives have been spent serving residents and communities across the hundreds of different services councils deliver.
In Walsall, we recently had the pleasure to proudly recognise 45 long-service colleagues who, collectively, have spent 1,830 years working for Walsall Council. Three have reached an incredible 50-year milestone, while 42 have worked for the council for 40 years.
Paul Guilfoyle and Trevor Cockayne are two Walsall Council employees who each marked an incredible 50 years of service to the borough and its residents.
Both began their journeys with Walsall Council in 1975, starting as trainee gardeners (Paul at the age of 17 and Trevor at 16).
Over the decades, their careers have evolved, and Paul now works as a waste and street cleansing HGV driver within the Street Cleansing Team, while Trevor is an environmental driver operative for the Grounds Maintenance Team.
It really is a privilege to recognise those who have dedicated such a significant part of their lives to our borough. There is so much fluidity in the job market these days, so to achieve such long-standing service is remarkable.
Looking to the future, we know the sector needs to secure talent and retain vital skills. We’re working closely with partners to position Walsall Council as an employer of choice, to attract the next generation of local government officers, and inspire you