Apprentice helps Leo Group reach milestone
A WASTE management and renewable energy company has reached a recruitment milestone after taking on a new apprentice.
Leo Group in Halifax has hired 16-year-old Joe Willmott, whose appointment marks the 50th new job creation across the group this year.
The business is also cementing its commitment to apprentices by launching a graduate recruitment programme.
Joe was educated at the Halifax’s Trinity Academy and will work in the firm’s vehicle workshop.
“We are delighted to welcome Joe to the Leo Group and to celebrate the creation of our 50th new job this year,” said managing director Danny Sawrij. “It is a milestone of which we are very proud.
“Since 1996 the number of apprenticeship placements in the UK had steadily declined.
“However, the Leo Group strongly believes that some of the most valuable skills are best developed in the ‘real life’ situations only experienced in the workplace, and are best delivered in the learning programmes and mentoring provided by an apprenticeship.”
The inaugural graduate recruitment programme is now seeking applications from people with degrees relating to engineering, property and environment management.
Mr Sawrij added: “The graduate and apprenticeship schemes offer young people an opportunity to further their career in a successful and growing company.
“With unemployment growing, particularly among the young, we make every effort to buck the economic trend and support school and university leavers wherever possible and create sustainable employment.
“There is no shortage of young talent in Yorkshire and we are determined to develop these skills in a variety of roles across the group.”
The Leo Group specialises in the collection and processing of animal by-products to convert them into valuable energy sources, meals, oils and pet food ingredients which it supplies to customers throughout the world.
It has grown from a single smallholding on the edge of Halifax to employ more than 400 across 10 operational sites in the UK and Ireland.
