Halsey, lead engineer, now based in Rainham, comments: “Being an apprentice has changed my opinion of learning, not only because I’m now fully immersed in what I love doing but the programme is helping me build my skillset and giving me the opportunity to become a specialist in my chosen area."
Veolia employs approximately 300 apprentices across the business. It says that it is important to grow the UK’s talent pool by providing industry-focused apprenticeships, such as maintenance engineering, sustainable waste management and mechanical engineering, that enable people to gain technical skills while earning.
Estelle Brachlianoff, senior executive vice president of Veolia UK & Ireland, states: “For some time now, Veolia’s objective has been to have 300+ apprentices in the business and we’ve also developed our apprenticeships in-line with the passions and interests of millennials in mind. As a result, our apprenticeships aim to expand the career horizons of this generation, while tackling the skills gap. At their core, STEM careers question, design, invent and solve, and more businesses need to take responsibility in helping to equip our young people with the skills they require to have fulfilling careers. The good news is, looking at the calibre of people undertaking our own apprenticeship programme the talent is out there to be harnessed.”
Veolia fleet administrator Robyn Donaghy (25) based in Cannock was named Veolia’s Apprentice of the Year ‘Fleet’ winner. Amber Slacke (21), trainee transport controller based in Hinckley, was named Veolia’s Apprentice of the Year ‘Public and Commercial – Midlands’ winner.
The Veolia Campus was established in 1999 as part of an employee development programme led by Veolia’s head office in Paris. Today it develops over 300 apprentices across the UK each year. Located in Four Ashes, Staffordshire, the company’s apprenticeships cover everything from sustainable waste management, electrical engineering, business management and mechanical engineering.