J&B News & Updates

13.11.26

J&B Recycling is proud to be supporting Esh Group’s Building My Skills programme, helping young people across the North East and Tees Valley discover career opportunities, develop employability skills and gain valuable insights into the world of work.

The award-winning programme, delivered by Esh Group in partnership with the North East Chamber of Commerce and BUSINESSiQ, brings schools and employers together to help students explore different industries and understand the skills and experience needed for their future careers.

For the 2026/27 academic year, the programme will connect 93 schools with 97 businesses across the North East and Tees Valley, reaching more than 14,000 young people.

Introducing Young People to Careers in Recycling and Waste Management

When young people think about careers in recycling and waste management, they might initially picture refuse collection vehicles or recycling operatives. However, the industry offers a much wider range of opportunities, many of which students may never have considered.

As part of Building My Skills, members of the J&B Recycling team will visit local schools to share their experiences and introduce students to the diverse career paths available within the sector.

From engineering, logistics and transport to environmental management, sales, marketing, finance, HR and customer services, the waste and recycling industry relies on people with a wide variety of skills and qualifications.

Our team will also share their own career journeys, explaining how they entered the industry, the opportunities they've experienced and the different routes available to young people, including apprenticeships, further education and on-the-job training.

By sharing real experiences, we hope to challenge some of the misconceptions surrounding the waste industry and encourage students to consider careers in a sector that plays an important role in protecting the environment and supporting the circular economy.

What Is the Building My Skills Programme?

Established in 2009, Building My Skills is an employer-led careers education programme designed to strengthen links between schools and businesses.

Since its launch, more than 60,000 students have participated in the initiative.

The programme is aimed at students in Years 9 to 12, providing opportunities to engage directly with employers from different industries.

Throughout the academic year, participating students attend four structured workshops, each delivered by a different business. These sessions introduce students to different sectors, career pathways and essential employability skills.

Students also complete follow-up activities, known as checkpoints, to reflect on what they have learned. Those completing the programme can be invited to a regional interview day, where they can practise their interview skills and receive feedback from employers.

The programme helps students develop confidence, broaden their understanding of local employment opportunities and make more informed decisions about their futures.

Investing in the Future of Our Industry

At J&B Recycling, we recognise the importance of engaging with young people and helping them understand the opportunities available within the environmental services sector.

As a North East-based waste management and recycling company, we employ people across a broad range of operational, technical, administrative and commercial roles.

Our industry continues to evolve, with developments in recycling technology, environmental legislation, resource management and sustainability creating demand for a diverse range of skills.

Introducing young people to these opportunities while they are still at school can help them make informed choices about their education and future employment.

Supporting initiatives such as Building My Skills also forms part of our wider commitment to education, skills development and delivering positive social value in the communities where we operate.

Working Together to Inspire the Next Generation

We are delighted to be joining other businesses from across the region in supporting this year's programme and look forward to meeting students, answering their questions and sharing what a career in recycling and waste management can offer.

We would like to thank Esh Group, the North East Chamber of Commerce and BUSINESSiQ for bringing businesses and schools together through this valuable initiative.

To find out more about the programme, visit Esh Group's Building My Skills website.