Yard Operative Apprentice

The only way to truly know the benefits of this culture is to experience it as an EMR employee, but some examples of the support we offer include:

• Competitive pay rates and a bonus scheme
• 25 days annual leave plus the option to buy or sell leave
• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave
• Employee support, including life assurance and critical illness pay
• Wellbeing Scheme, giving every colleague – and their dependents – unlimited access to GPs and counselling, as well as cash back on a wide range of health and wellbeing treatments
• 24/7 anonymous access to advice on any aspect of health and wellbeing
• Financial wellbeing support, including access to affordable loans, savings plans, advanced earned pay and financial education
• Savings on online purchases from retailers and utilities to entertainment and beyond

We’re proud to have achieved Great Place To Work status for three years running - and to be recognised among the UK's Best Workplaces in Manufacturing, Production & Transportation. But it's about so much more than badges to us, it's about being recognised by our people for the continuous work we do to do better for them.

About Our Opportunity: Are you looking for a sustainable career? Where no two days are the same? Whilst working for an ethical employer who truly makes a difference to our planet? As a key part of the team, you will be responsible for contributing to the efficient production and safety of our Yard Operations at our Ashford Depot. You will play an active role in the management of materials from initial receipt, and processing through to onward movement. As a development role, you will work closely with the Yard Staff and Management to work through apprenticeship study and learn all aspects of the role. This apprenticeship is aligned with the Lean Manufacturing Operative Level 2 apprenticeship – material handler pathway. Candidates must be a minimum of 18 years old and have a valid UK driving license to apply for this opportunity.

Assessment Day - Wed 10th June 2026 at our Blaydon site

Salary: £21,364.20 per annum

What You Will Be Doing:

• Receipt, unloading, processing, stocking, retrieval and dispatch of material using mobile plant.
• Ensuring that material value is preserved through careful handling to avoid damage.
• Assisting customers and colleagues.
• Unloading and loading of materials.
• Safely operating and be willing to learn the operation of various items of plant and machinery.
• Conducting regular checks on machinery and work areas to include the reporting of any problems.
• Ensuring strict adherence to the company Health & Safety and environmental policies.
• Materials are managed safely, efficiently and on-time to increase the value of the activities.
• Recognise and understand the grading of Ferrous and Non Ferrous material.
• Weighbridge operation and dealing with customers in all areas of the depot.
• Commercial awareness will be developed - maintaining customers and bringing new customers into the depot.
• Transport booking and planning.
• Quality control grading and upgrading of materials.

About You:

• Ability to be responsive and flexible in switching activities.
• Resilient and able to work in outdoor environments.
• Good team player and enjoys working with others.
• Capable of working on their own and self-motivated.
• Organised with attention to detail.
• Possesses a “can do” attitude and thrives on positive results.

Who we are: Our purpose is to create a future where the materials we use don’t need to be extracted from the planet. At EMR, we give new life to unwanted materials. Every year, we recycle 10 million tonnes of metals and plastics, saving 19 million tonnes of carbon from entering the Earth’s atmosphere, diverting waste from landfill and protecting resources and habitats. We couldn’t do any of this without our team members. In return for all they do, we do everything we can to create an environment of belonging, value, support and growth.

We’re proud to have achieved Great Place To Work status, but it’s about so much more than a badge. It’s about being recognised by our people for the continuous work we do to do better for them: ‘The people who work here are from varied backgrounds and have a variety of beliefs, all of which are accepted and respected.’ ‘I’m encouraged to keep a healthy work-life balance so that I can be performing at my best.’ ‘I’ve been supported every step of the way in my career progression.’ ‘EMR offers a fantastic and inclusive environment; collaboration across the whole business, humility and hard work.’

We couldn’t do any of this without our team members. In return for all they do, we do everything we can to create an environment of belonging, value, support and growth, underpinned by our Company values of We Care and We Do.

We Care Integrity – our people are Respectful and Honest Trust – our people are Collaborative and Genuine We Do Accountable – our people are Determined and Responsible Innovative – our people have a Growth Mind-set and are Progressive

If you want to be part of something bigger than yourself, have a role that really makes a difference and work with likeminded people towards the same purpose, click the link to apply.

Recruitment Agencies We operate a strict Preferred Supplier List (PSL) and do not accept speculative CVs. Any unsolicited CVs, whether related to a specific position or submitted speculatively, will not be considered.