A disabled man has been rejected for a binman job despite completing a nine-month unpaid internship.
Bryan Rowe, 21, who has myotonic dystrophy (DM) and ADHD, had dreamed of working as a binman but was left feeling like he is "not good enough" after Southampton City Council turned him down.
Mr Rowe worked as a waste management loader for nine months as part of a supported internship.
His condition, DM, affects muscles and organs, causing progressive muscle weakness and degeneration.
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After completing the unpaid placement, he was encouraged to apply for paid roles.
However, he was rejected twice, leaving him "broken-hearted".
His mother, Claire Rowe, said her son - from Sholing in Southampton - had been obsessed with becoming a binman since the age of two.
Mr Rowe has been out of work since his internship ended in June 2025.
Bryan Rowe has been left feeling 'broken-hearted'
|GETTY
He told the Daily Mail he was "very disappointed" after being rejected following two interviews.
"I told mum that I am not good enough to get anything not even a binman job," he added.
He said he is now unsure what to do, having set his heart on the role.
"I don't want to sit around and do nothing," Mr Rowe said.
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Southampton City Council rejected Bryan Rowe twice
|WIKIMEDIA/ALAN FORD
Mrs Rowe said the council had no issue with him working unpaid for nine months, before deciding he was "not good enough".
She has since lodged a formal complaint and was told the council’s recruitment processes are under review.
"He worked for free for nine months, he was always enthusiastic and on time. "How are people meant to get enough experience?" she said.
Mr Rowe has since applied for similar roles with other councils and private waste firms but has not yet been successful.
His mother described the rejection as a "kick in the teeth" after completing the placement.
"While Bryan can do it, we want him to do it, because there might be a time where his myotonic dystrophy will pop up and stop him," she said.
A council spokesman said: "Southampton City Council is committed to fair, inclusive and transparent recruitment processes.
"We are unable to comment on individual applications or personal circumstances, but recruitment decisions are made through formal interview processes which are reviewed to ensure they are fair and equitable, with appropriate involvement from HR.
"The council continues to keep its recruitment practices under review to ensure they are as inclusive and accessible as possible."