Recycling attracts apprentices, MP told on ELV recycling plant tour

The waste management and recycling sector is attracting more apprentices seeking practical experience for a skilled career versus academic studies, Kate Green MP for Stretford and Urmston learned during a tour of a Manchester-based end-of-life vehicle (ELV) recycling plant.

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.

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% recycling and recovery of materials from end-of-life vehicles.

Kate viewed the results of further multi-million pound investment in extra processing capability at Axion’s SWAPP plant. The new building and processes were under construction during her first visit 18 months ago.

Her tour was hosted by Axion Polymers’ Technical Operations Manager Mike Bennett, Production Manager Paul Foy, Project Engineer Uchenna Onwuamaegbu and Lab Assistant Simon Davidson, who had joined as an Apprentice.

Mike said: “Kate was clearly impressed with our progress, commitment to training young people and the range of products that can be produced with innovative processing techniques.”

Kate commented: “I really enjoyed visiting Axion again to see the fabulous progress made at the SWAPP plant since my last visit.

“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.”

Axion Director Roger Morton explained that investment in their 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.

Roger said: “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.”

“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,” added Roger.

Axion Polymers is part of the Axion Group that develops and operates innovative resource recovery and processing solutions for recycling waste materials. The Group works with a wide range of clients within the recycling and process industries on the practical development of new processing and collection methods.