Apprenticeships help build skills in the waste industry
12 February 2026 by CSG
Apprenticeships play a vital role in attracting new recruits and supporting the development of talent in the waste industry, according to one of the sector’s biggest employers.
Waste management specialist CSG is a strong believer in apprenticeships as a way of developing skills and encouraging young people into an industry they might not otherwise have considered.
Last year CSG allocated tens of thousands of pounds of Apprenticeship Levy funds towards training. The company currently has 14 apprentices across numerous roles, including sales, HGV driver and customer service.
Speaking during National Apprenticeship Week 2026, CSG Managing Director Jen Cartmell said: “People are the heartbeat of CSG. We have grown to become a thriving business with 658 employees across the country and we want to support each and every one to be the best they can be.
“Apprenticeships have become an important part of our overall people strategy. As well as offering people opportunities when they leave either school or college, they are also utilised to upskill our existing workforce.
“This on-the-job training offered by apprenticeships is particularly important in waste where there is so much to learn and a constantly evolving landscape.
“We have seen tremendous success with our apprenticeship schemes and plan to invest even more heavily in the years to come.”
Eight site operatives at CSG Cadishead have enrolled to complete Waste Resource Operative Level 2 Apprenticeship, under the supervision of CIWM (Chartered Institution of Wastes Management).
A further three operatives are undertaking the Level 3 in Health and Safety Supervision for the Resource and Waste Management Sector.
CSG believes its approach to continual improvement and career progression helps to build a loyal and dedicated workforce. Average tenure of staff currently stands at 7.3 years compared to the national average of between four and five years.
Danielle Shaw is an Accounts Assistant at CSG’s head office in Whiteley in Hampshire.
The 37-year-old has already completed AAT Level 2 and Level 3 apprenticeships and has now progressed to the AAT Level 4 diploma.
She said: “I worked in a supermarket for 10 years. When my youngest child was full-time in school, I thought that was the time for something different.
“I was already doing an AAT Level 2 off my own back but it was difficult when I wasn’t doing any of the work in real life. I applied for hundreds of jobs and managed to get an interview with CSG.
“I started the Level 2 from scratch with CSG as an apprentice and it was so much better to be given the time to study properly alongside the day job.
“My job role has changed massively as I’ve worked through the qualifications. The course has helped my work and the work has helped my course.”
Telesales Executive Michael Briggs, 22, completed his Level 3 Customer Service Specialist apprenticeship in 2023.
He was working behind the bar of a hotel when a guest made him aware of CSG’s apprenticeship scheme.
“Training alongside the job and learning as I went was fantastic,” said Michael, from Hedge End in Hampshire.
“I was given the time away from the phones to study and there were lots of people at the company I could turn to for advice.
“I’m loving my job and I’m keen to keep progressing. I’d certainly consider a Team Leadership apprenticeship in the future.”
CSG helps households and organisations by offering a complete variety of services ranging from waste collection through to treatment, recovery and disposal of countless waste streams.
The business has been operational for more than nine decades and has experienced significant growth in recent years.
