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A healthy working environment, combined with great perks, learning opportunities and flexible working options, help make SWISCo an ‘employer of choice’. We spoke to Daniel Vickridge, green infrastructure manager at SWISCO, to find out more.
Proud to make Torbay the best place to live, work and play
“We work as one team, we have clear goals and objectives, we are open and honest, we are innovators, and we are proud” - these are just some of the ways Vickridge describes the working culture at SWISCo - Torbay Council’s wholly-owned arms-length company.
The organisation is responsible for the delivery of all functions associated with waste and recycling, highways, fleet and transport, and parks, streetscene and green infrastructure.
SWISCO is recruiting. Find out more and apply here.
One of SWISCo’s key goals is to improve its financial efficiency by developing the commercial side of the business and placing the customer at the heart of everything it does. It has implemented new ways of working to achieve this by breaking down barriers and enabling more joined up processes between teams.
“We hope that by 2023 the company will have matured enough to generate a financial surplus, which can then be reinvested to the benefit of the residents and communities of Torbay,” says Vickridge.
Beauty hotspot
Torbay is one of the most popular visitor destinations in the country and has a wealth of outdoor, culture and leisure opportunities for residents and visitors.
Its close proximity to areas of outstanding natural beauty, such as Dartmoor National Park in Cornwall, as well as being near to other metropolitan areas, make it an attractive place to live and work.
“I think what makes Torbay a great place to work and live is that it offers an excellent environment to be in with its plentiful beaches, warm climate and generally excellent quality of life,” says Vickridge. Torbay is also home to the English Riviera UNESCO Global Geopark and is part of the South Devon Area of Natural Beauty.
Interesting projects
Some of SWISCo’s key projects include improving the financial efficiency of the business to minimise the level of support required from the council, striving for top quality customer focused services, and continuing to develop and strengthen its model of governance and performance accountability.
“As part of our continued drive to be at the forefront of managing our urban forest we recently completed the second i-tree eco project”, explains Vickridge. Torbay is the first local authority to have carried out the survey twice.
He adds: “The i-tree eco report provides a pathway for the management of existing tree stock and how best to manage it whilst also giving direction for policy to be challenged.”
Explore career opportunities at SWISCo
In conjunction with the i-tree reports, a tree planting strategy was provided that identifies hot spots in Torbay where planting would be most beneficial based on a series of metrics, such as socio-economic status and flooding.
“The role will allow for inclusion into the management of existing trees and importantly the tree planting going forward with the focus being on the right tree in the right place,” explains Vickridge.
Great perks
SWISCo offers a multitude of employee benefits including 25 days annual leave plus extra days for long service, family friendly benefits such as flexible working, paid maternity, adoption and paternity leave schemes (where eligible) and an employee reward system.
You also get access to professional coaching to help with your career development, as well as occupational health and counselling services, and a competitive pension.
Top tips for applying
Vickridge reveals that the people they’re looking for are “enthusiastic, resourceful and knowledgeable, with a willingness to cast ‘fresh eyes’ over our existing work practices.”
He also shares these top tips when applying for a role:
Be confident in your own ability but be honest with your limitations as these will provide the basis for personal and career development.
Give real life examples of personal and work experiences to showcase your breadth and depth of knowledge.
About SWISCo
SWISCo (South West Integrated Services Company) Limited is Torbay Council's wholly-owned arms-length company responsible for the delivery of all functions associated with:
- Waste and recycling
- Highways, fleet and transport
- Parks, streetscene and green infrastructure
The company also carries out work for other public and private organisations to provide added value and improve the cost effectiveness of universal services provided to all residents on behalf of the council.
The job vacancies advertised in this article have now closed.
