“Recycling attracts apprentices” MP told on plant tour

The waste management and recycling sector is attracting more apprentices seeking practical experience versus academic studies, says a UK based recycler.

Axion Polymers told Kate Green, MP for Stretford and Urmston, the information during a tour of its Manchester-based end-of-life vehicle (ELV) recycling plant where she viewed the results of its recent multi-million pound investment.

In recent months, Axion Polymers has taken on three apprentices, including one long-term unemployed and two who wanted to gain practical work experience. It has also recruited eight further staff, including chemical engineering placement students and technicians, to cope with demand for recycled products from its Shredder Waste Advanced Processing Plant (SWAPP) at Trafford Park, Manchester.

“I was very pleased to meet the new apprentices and learn that Axion has recruited more staff to cope with demand. The plant is certainly going from strength to strength and it’s great to see such a thriving local business in Trafford,” commented Green.

The multi-million pound plant, one of the most advanced of its type in Europe, separates non-metallic fractions from automotive shredder residue (ASR) to produce recycled plastics, materials for the construction industry and fuel to substitute coal. 

From March round-the-clock shifts have been introduced at the award-winning facility, which is already capable of delivering over 95 percent recycling and recovery of materials from end-of-life vehicles. 

Axion Director, Roger Morton, explained that investment in the company’s technological capabilities and expertise is essential given the growth in manufacturing returning to the UK and greater sustainability in the flourishing vehicle manufacturing sector.

The company is also extending its plant-building capabilities to other clients and growing relationships with a range of manufacturers in the North West, supplying systems and components.

“Vehicle production in the UK is at record levels and this creates opportunities for supplying sustainable recycled materials – both plastics and metals – for components in new vehicles, as well as creating skilled jobs in our industry,” Morton explained.

“Innovation is inspiring young people to consider careers in the resource recovery sector and we are seeing big changes in attitudes. We’re attracting highly-motivated apprentices who have joined us as an alternative to university and the training process is working really well for all.”