Twenty new graduates from Perkins will spend two days staining, raking and laying wheelchair accessible footpaths at Peterborough’s Environmental Project (PEP) as part of the company’s community service programme.

Perkins, which plays an important role in the local area, is keen to ensure its new graduates learn more about and get involved in community activities.

As well as benefiting the community, the work will enable the graduates, who started at Perkins in early September, to work together as a team on a project.

Perkins’ senior product trainer Brian Pearce who recently received a prestigious international award in recognition of 12 years work at the PEP will accompany the graduates.

He said: “I’ve got so much for them to do, as I would like the decking on the three 160 year old cast iron bridges, the new wooden fencing and then the steps all stained, there’s some worked needed on the footpaths and we’re creating an area with wild flowers, so I’ve got seeds for them to sew. It’s going to be a great few days.”

Perkins’ corporate social responsibility co-ordinator, James Daffurn said the work at PEP would enable the graduates, many of who have moved to Peterborough from other areas of the country, to feel a part of the local community.

“Throughout their career we want our graduates to engage with the community and support the many projects Perkins is involved in such as the successful reading buddies scheme and environmental initiatives like PEP and Peterborough Environment City Trust’s green festival,” stated James.

Following their activities at the PEP the graduates will start work at Perkins. This year Perkins’ Peterborough site has taken on 20 graduates across a wide range of disciplines including HR, finance and sales and marketing.

Kara Vasey, who has just completed her first year on the graduate programme and who is supporting the new recruits through their induction said: “The graduates are really excited about visiting the wildlife haven. Brian has given them a short presentation on the site and everything which has been achieved there, and they’re keen to get out and help make a difference to this community project.”

Brian said he welcomed the graduates’ help in getting the PEP ready to open to the public.

“That is the next milestone – to open the site to school children and conservation groups. I want the site to be for wildlife but also an intriguing place for children to go. It’s going to be fabulous,” he added.

The PEP, which is sited on three acres of land made available by the Railworld Trust, has been transformed over the past 12 years from a derelict power station coal yard into a wildlife haven with ponds, waterfalls and an 8000 square foot environment centre.