Award-winning, pan Wales training provider Cambrian Training is celebrating Zero Waste Week by publishing its own Sustainability Strategy.
Based in Welshpool, Cambrian Training is one of Wales’ main providers of apprenticeships to businesses of all sizes and is playing a key role in helping the Welsh Government work towards its Net Zero 2050 target.
The company’s Sustainability Strategy sets out a commitment to digital meetings with staff and learners to reduce the impact of travel. Other commitments include investment in renewable energy, such as solar panels, energy efficient appliances, biodegradable and compostable products, water saving and organic and locally sourced food produced using sustainable farming practices.
To reduce carbon emissions, Cambrian Training pledges to work towards a complete fleet of electric vehicles, car sharing and encouraging staff to get active by walking and cycling short distances rather than jumping in a car.
Cambrian Training’s Head of Sustainability Amy Edwards (centre) with Training Officers Liz Cain and Rodica Zus.
The company, which operates pan Wales, has launched a pioneering Apprenticeship in Energy and Carbon Management to help businesses move towards the Net Zero 2050 target
The apprenticeship is perfect for companies of all sizes which already have or wish to appoint an energy champion. Approval is currently being sought from Qualifications Wales to add a Foundation and Higher Apprenticeship in Energy Management in order to create a clear progression route for learners and businesses.
Cambrian Training also delivers Waste and Recycling Management apprenticeships to suit all areas of the industry, from Levels 2 to 4, covering the collection, transport, disposal and the final management of waste and recyclables.
Faith O’Brien, Cambrian Training’s managing director, said:
“As business leaders, we see sustainability as more than just a buzzword; it's a commitment to our future and we aim to foster a transformative approach to our practices.
“By integrating sustainability at every level, we are not only preparing our staff and apprentices for the challenges of today but ensuring a resilient and prosperous tomorrow.”
Cambrian Training works with a wide range of employers across Wales to deliver sustainable resource apprenticeships, including the county councils for Conwy, Denbighshire, Flintshire and Pembrokeshire.
Other businesses include Bryson Recycling, Lelo Skip Hire Ltd, Mainetti (UK) Ltd, Crest Cooperative, Ash Waste Services, Antur Waunfawr and CB Environmental.
Award-winning Bryson Recycling, based in Colwyn Bay, is the largest social enterprise recycler in the UK, currently employing 10 apprentices in a Welsh workforce of 60. Treating waste as a sustainable resource, the company recycles 12,000 tonnes of house waste annually.
Solar panels on Ty Cambrian, Cambrian Training’s headquarters in Welshpool.
Bryson Recycling was rewarded for prioritising staff learning and development earlier this year when it won the Large Employer of the Year at Cambrian Training’s annual Apprenticeship, Employment and Skills Awards.
Apprenticeships have given Bryson Recycling employees the skills and knowledge to climb the promotion ladder from recycling operative to managers, improving the business performance in the process.
Running work-based apprenticeships has also helped the company to retain staff and win contracts from Conwy County Borough Council and Denbighshire County Council for five household recycling centres across North Wales.
Gareth Walsh, Bryson Recycling (Wales) general manager, emphasises the learning culture within the business.
“My entire management team has come through Cambrian Training’s apprenticeship programme,” he said.
“Our qualified apprentices are now helping to mentor the next generation of apprentices coming through. Apprenticeships are integral to the company’s mission alongside managing resources sustainably to help save the environment.
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.
“We have been working with Cambrian Training for more than six years and the apprenticeship programme has benefitted our business in a number of ways – it has helped us improve the quality of our services, supported staff retention and has helped employees progress their career within the organisation.“
Supporting the Welsh Government’s circular economy mission, Bryson Recycling operates a ‘Choose to Reuse’ scheme across its five sites where employees identify items that could be reused and are set aside for members of the public to take.
The company also has reuse shops at its Mochdre and Rhyl sites which are operated in partnership with a local charity, St David’s Hospice.
For more information about the Apprenticeships in Energy and Carbon Management and Waste and Recycling Management delivered by Cambrian Training, contact Amy Edwards, Head of Sustainability, at [email protected] or visit the company’s website https://www.cambriantraining.com .
Founded by Rachelle Strauss in 2008, #ZeroWasteWeek is an annual awareness campaign designed to help householders, businesses, organisations, schools, universities and community groups to reduce landfill waste to save money, preserve resources and protect the environment.
Rachel’s mission is to empower everyone to rethink ‘rubbish’ as a valuable resource. By making small changes that lead to more sustainable consumption patterns, everyone can help to reduce landfill, save money and participate in the circular economy in line with the global goals for sustainable development, she says.
The Apprenticeship Programme in Wales is funded by the Welsh Government with support from the European Social Fund.
