Work placement grows with GO Wales

A former Bangor University student in Zoology with Conservation recently got to take part in the worthwhile experience of a GO Wales placement at Treborth Botanic Gardens.

Thomas Cockbill, aged 28, from Walsall in the West Midlands became a Community and Outreach Officer at Treborth, where he got to develop his ideas and thoughts on how to improve schools and community involvement with the Garden.

 As Thomas explains; “The GO Wales placement gave me the opportunity to work with volunteers from the ‘Friends of Treborth Botanic Garden’ who endeavour to help with the development and management of the Garden. It was also a good chance to work with local schools and colleges as well as other Bangor University students.”  Thomas with local school children at TreborthThomas with local school children at Treborth

 After graduating Thomas chose to study a MA in Countryside Management at Bangor and has just completed a PGCE course in Secondary Science (Biology). 

 GO Wales is a Welsh Government and European funded programme which helps students and graduates enhance their knowledge and skills by providing project based work placement opportunities.  GO Wales organises placements with a wide range of businesses and organisations in all sectors and industries. This in turn supports Welsh businesses by offering them the opportunity to access graduate level skills.

Thomas was lucky enough to gain the opportunity by registering with the GO Wales programme, and applying for the placement via the GO Wales website.

Thomas goes on to explain how he has benefited from the placement;

 “It has allowed me to put into practice a lot of the themes I learnt in my BSc and MA, and it also complemented my PGCE through running lessons with a wide range of primary and secondary age pupils.

  “This has been a great opportunity to practice and learn new skills, as well as getting a real workplace experience and meeting people in the profession.

 “In the short to medium future I would like to develop some of the ideas further to see the Garden flourish, and maybe even become a mini national Botanic Garden for Wales.”

 If you would like more details about the opportunities available with GO Wales within the University, head over to their web pages here.

Publication date: 14 February 2012