Successful 2017 internship programme concludes

Reconomy, the UK’s leading provider of outsourced waste management and recycling services, has successfully concluded its first ever staff internship programme, making a commitment that it will return in 2018.Earlier this year, the Telford-based business selected eight ambitious participants from hundreds of applicants to take part in the programme, which offered summer work placements to school leavers and college / university students.The chosen eight were placed within various departments across Reconomy, including customer services, finance, operations and compliance. Each was given the opportunity to learn about the business and gain invaluable, hands-on experience of a busy office environment. HR Manager for Reconomy, Lyndsey Denning, said: “This is the first time Reconomy has run an internship programme and we’ve been delighted with the results. We’ve learnt a lot during the process, which will really benefit next year’s programme, when we plan to have up to 15 placements. Providing people with the chance to break into a new industry or a different area of work has given us access to an untapped resource pool.”With the 2017 programme at an end, six of the eight participants have now returned to full-time education. The remaining two interns, 16-year-old Lauren Jackson and 19-year-old Daniel Davies, have both been offered longer-term opportunities at Reconomy.Speaking about the internship programme, Daniel Davies said: “I knew an internship would give me experience of an office environment, but I wasn’t expecting to enjoy working at Reconomy as much as I have. Everyone has been very welcoming, so I’m thrilled to be extending my time here.”Lauren Jackson added: “My plan had always been to complete my internship and then go on to sixth-form college, but working at Reconomy has changed my thinking.”Back in June, Reconomy was named Company of the Year at the 2017 Shropshire Business Awards. From its offices on Stafford Park in Telford, Reconomy manages the disposal of over 3m tonnes of waste per year. On average, 93% of this is diverted away from landfill by exploring all opportunities for recycling and reuse.Paul Cox, Chief Executive of Reconomy, said: “The internship programme has been a great success and I’m delighted that it will be returning bigger and better in 2018. All of this year’s participants were incredibly enthusiastic throughout, and it’s been great way of introducing Reconomy to the next generation of local business professionals.”Pictured left to right: Lyndsey Denning (HR Manager), Lauren Jackson (Reconomy Intern), Nicole Harris (Recruitment Assistant) and Daniel Davies (Reconomy Intern).