Bryson Recycling, the UK’s largest social enterprise recycler manages five Household Recycling Centres for Conwy County Borough Council and Denbigshire County Council. The company has been instrumental in promoting apprenticeships to develop a skilled workforce and support community engagement. Since expanding into North Wales in 2005, the company has offered apprenticeship programmes aimed at enhancing responsible waste management and providing long-term employment opportunities to individuals from diverse backgrounds.
Cambrian Training Apprenticeship Programmes
Bryson Recycling works with Cambrian Training Company to offer Apprenticeships in Sustainable Recycling Activities and Systems Operational Management at Levels 2 to 4. These programmes equip employees with the necessary skills and knowledge to advance from recycling operatives to managerial positions, thereby improving business performance and staff retention. Since 2017, 30 Bryson Recycling employees have completed apprenticeships delivered by Cambrian Training and six of the company’s 60 employees are currently working towards apprenticeships.
Success Stories
Andrew Bennett, a 51-year-old from Kinmel Bay, exemplifies the impact of Bryson Recycling’s apprenticeship programmes. Despite being dyslexic and having a sight impairment, Andrew has completed a Level 3 qualification in Waste Management. He credits the apprenticeship for providing tailored support and practical, on-the-job learning, which led to his promotion within the company.
Bryson Recycling exemplifies a company learning culture and promoting continual professional development.
“My entire management team has come through Cambrian Training’s apprenticeship programme,” says Gareth Walsh, Bryson Recycling (Wales) general manager.
“They are now helping to mentor the next generation of apprentices coming through. Apprenticeships are integral to the company’s mission to manage resources sustainably and save the environment.
“At Bryson Recycling we recognise the crucial role that our staff play in the success of our business and we take great pride in developing our people.”
Saving 12,000 Tonnes of Household Waste Annually from Landfill
Supporting the Welsh Government’s “Beyond Recycling” strategy, Bryson Recycling treats waste as a sustainable resource and operates a ‘Choose to Re-Use’ scheme across its five sites. In its reuse shops at the Mochdre and Rhyl sites high quality recycled items, such as furniture or electrical appliances are sold with all proceeds going to St. David’s Hospice.
Awards Recognition
In June 2023, Bryson Recycling received multiple accolades at the Cambrian Training Company’s annual Apprenticeship, Employment, and Skills Awards. The company was named Large Employer of the Year, while employees Andrew Bennett and Gerwyn Llyr Williams won the Outstanding Apprentice of the Year and Apprentice of the Year awards, respectively.
Current Opportunities
As of February 2025, Bryson Recycling is seeking an Apprentice Engineer for their Material Recovery Facility (MRF). This fixed-term position offers a Monday to Friday schedule from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, with a salary at apprenticeship rate.
