FCC Environment celebrates National Apprenticeship Week
In celebration of National Apprenticeship Week (10-16th February), FCC Environment is highlighting the contributions of its apprentices who play a crucial role in maximising value from the nation’s waste at all stages of the waste hierarchy, from reducing and reusing to recycling, generating energy from the waste that cannot be recycled as well as professionally managing materials where landfill remains the only disposal option.
FCC Environment’s Apprenticeship Programme provides apprentices with on-the-job training under the guidance of industry experts, ensuring they have the skills and hands-on experience needed to launch their careers and set them up for success. Some positions also offer the chance to continue education at college alongside the apprenticeship.
The leading waste and resource management company offers a range of apprenticeship opportunities across its operations, including engineering roles at its state-of-the-art Energy from Waste facilities, as Maintenance Engineers at its vehicle workshops - keeping its fleet of collection vehicles on the road, or as essential Business Administrators and Chartered Managers, progressing the business and maintaining compliance.
One such apprentice is Olivia Wilcox-Padmore, a Chartered Management Degree Apprentice in FCC Environment’s Landfill, Restoration and Solar division, commenting on her apprenticeship Olivia said: “I have found my apprenticeship so far to be extremely beneficial to my future career and personal development. Being in a work environment has provided me with hands on experience and developed my confidence. In my opinion gaining a qualification at the same time has put me in a fortunate position and given me a jump start in my career. As well as this, earning a wage has given me much more independence and it’s meant that I have been able to support myself.”
Olivia added: “Online learning has really suited me since it has been much more flexible than face to face learning and I can tailor it to my life. I still get the support I need from both Arden and FCC with regular meetings and check-ups. Also, the apprentices that started the year before me have been more than happy to help, their knowledge of what it is actually like on the course has been invaluable. Everyone I have encountered has been very friendly and willing to explain things that I don’t understand and I would highly recommend an apprenticeship to anyone who is interested.
FCC Environment’s Early Careers and Development Manager, Gaye Glading has firsthand experience of the benefits apprentices can bring to the working environment, discussing supporting employees through an appre nticeship pathway and on towards a new career, Gaye said: “Without doubt, inviting an apprentice into a business is a commitment in terms of time and service, but the benefits will very quickly outweigh any concerns businesses may have.Gaye added: “We never underestimate the impact the new ideas our apprentices bring to FCC. In return for our commitment to them, they bring new ways of working, and of course, a fearless approach to technology!
“Realising their own progression and development and the difference they make to our everyday tasks and efficiencies is so rewarding for them, they get to see their own strengths, and where their talents & passions lie, and together we can use those indicators to prepare them for their next steps.”
Apprenticeships are an excellent way to attract talented individuals who are eager to learn and aspire to have a successful, long-lasting career. They provide firsthand work experience, expert mentorship, training, and structured training plans for developing key skills, knowledge, and behaviours.
Ben Armstrong is in the first year of his Chartered Management Degree Apprenticeship with FCC Environment’s Industrial Waste Management Team, and he has already felt the benefits. Ben said: “I’ve often had the opportunity to shadow colleagues and spent time learning what they do on a day to day basis, understanding the key aspects of the sites that I have worked at and how I can be of help”
The waste and recycling company currently has over 45 registered apprentices and will be hiring a further 50, with the company accepting applications for its round of recruitment.