Green apprenticeships and jobs for north London: North London Waste Authority celebrates National Apprenticeship Week 2022

North London Waste Authority (NLWA) is creating hundreds of green jobs for north London residents as part of a £1.2 billion* project to transform Edmonton EcoPark in Enfield into a new sustainable waste hub and prevent rubbish rotting in landfill.

Over the next 10 years,  NLWA is supporting over 100 apprenticeships at the EcoPark. The roles will help to kick-start careers for young people in a range of industries.

So far, the project has welcomed 20 apprentices in roles covering ground and civil engineering, quantity surveying, construction management, and business administration. Fourteen of the apprentices live in the three closest boroughs to the site: Enfield, Haringey, and Waltham Forest.

To mark National Apprenticeship Week, which takes place from 7 to 13 February, our apprentices have told us about their experience working on a nationally significant infrastructure project.

Seekay Diep from Newham, recently joined the project as a civil engineering apprentice, alongside her studies at London South Bank University. Seekay explained that she looks forward to starting a career where she can combine data analysis with creative problem solving. Since joining, she has worked on training modules such as the Construction Skill Certification Scheme. “I have also been assisting supervisors on site conducting inspections, learning how to read construction drawings via developing a tracker for drainage and inspecting ground beams, steel work and manholes,” Seekay said.

Elias Antoniou from Enfield, also recently joined as a civil engineering apprentice. He has enjoyed collaborating with his colleagues and learning from the team’s experience. For Elias, an important aspect of the apprenticeship is being part of a major local development, having grown up in the area.

Merve Tunc is a business administration apprentice from Waltham Forest. She decided to apply because of the opportunities available for development and progression. Merve is gaining experience from working with a wide range of people on the project: “I get to interact with many people in the office as well as subcontractors, visitors and operatives, which has helped me with my networking skills”, Merve said.

Pictured from left to right: Seekay Diep, Elias Antoniou and Merve Tunc

Watch more of our apprentices talk about their apprenticeships at the EcoPark here:

Cllr Clyde Loakes, Chair of NLWA said, “These apprenticeships are creating life changing opportunities for our young people in north London. As well as transforming the EcoPark, we’re committed to delivering as many benefits as possible for the community including hundreds of skilled jobs and training placements to build the UK’s most advanced, high-spec facilities to deal with black bin bag waste and increase recycling rates.”

As well as an apprenticeship programme, the project is creating training opportunities for residents. So far, 108 residents have joined the project on short-term training placements. During their time as an on-site trainee, trainees get hands on experience on a live construction site, learn new skills and work towards obtaining a Construction Skills Certificate Scheme (CSCS) card. Find out more information about NLWA’s apprenticeship and training opportunities as well as register your interest.

*in 2019 cash prices.