This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-essex-25562794

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Matt Atkins: Basildon roundabout job bid man promoted Matt Adkins: Basildon roundabout job bid man promoted
(1 day later)
An unemployed man who stood for hours at a roundabout in a desperate search for work is now responsible for its upkeep.An unemployed man who stood for hours at a roundabout in a desperate search for work is now responsible for its upkeep.
Matt Atkins hit the headlines in April when he stood at the roundabout in Basildon, Essex, armed with a placard saying he was "desperate 4 a job". Matt Adkins hit the headlines in April when he stood at the roundabout in Basildon, Essex, armed with a placard saying he was "desperate 4 a job".
The 46-year-old father of two took a role with a cleaning firm as a result.The 46-year-old father of two took a role with a cleaning firm as a result.
He has now been promoted to managing the company's landscape and gardening business.He has now been promoted to managing the company's landscape and gardening business.
Mr Atkins, of Wickford, was offered six jobs after pitching for work at the roundabout and now works for BizziB. Mr Adkins, of Wickford, was offered six jobs after pitching for work at the roundabout and now works for BizziB.
'Excellent character''Excellent character'
He said: "I started off just doing the cleaning and seven months on I'm the manager of the landscape and gardening side, which is amazing.He said: "I started off just doing the cleaning and seven months on I'm the manager of the landscape and gardening side, which is amazing.
"I've been given an opportunity to build up the landscape side of the business and that's what I want to do.""I've been given an opportunity to build up the landscape side of the business and that's what I want to do."
He is now responsible for maintaining six roundabouts in the town, but said: "That roundabout is quite a special one."He is now responsible for maintaining six roundabouts in the town, but said: "That roundabout is quite a special one."
Ricky Dalton, the managing director of BizziB, said Mr Atkins was asked to run the landscaping side of the business after it emerged he had previous experience in garden maintenance. Ricky Dalton, the managing director of BizziB, said Mr Adkins was asked to run the landscaping side of the business after it emerged he had previous experience in garden maintenance.
He said Mr Atkins had been a "really great asset" to the company since joining. He said Mr Adkins had been a "really great asset" to the company since joining.
"It is a credit to him because he's worked very hard. He is proactive and positive about his job."It is a credit to him because he's worked very hard. He is proactive and positive about his job.
"He has been really good. He has an excellent character and he's a great team player. He's also been winning business for us.""He has been really good. He has an excellent character and he's a great team player. He's also been winning business for us."