Malcolm Bussey
Engineering Director, Biffa
Jordan Stuart
Engineering Training Academy Manager, Biffa
An established leader of sustainable waste management in the UK highlights the breadth of roles available for future engineers, hoping to redefine the waste industry alongside modern technology.
What many think of as bins and lorries is actually a combination of pioneering sustainability, innovation, engineering and fast-driven technology. Biffa, one of the UK’s leading sustainable waste management companies, hopes to redefine waste management.
“People don’t see the processing side of recycling: the complex systems, robotics and the sheer scale of innovation,” says Malcolm Bussey, Group Engineering Director. “We touch every type of engineering there is, from mechanical to electrical, chemical to civil and maintenance. It’s an incredibly dynamic industry to work in.”
Career development and opportunity
Working with young people and ex-military, the company’s accredited engineering apprenticeship and graduate programmes are designed to offer flexible pathways tailored to individual strengths and career goals. Apprentices rotate across multiple processing sites to gain hands-on experience in areas such as mechatronics, robotics and project management.
“The waste industry is evolving so fast and requires significant collaboration from environmental science and logistics to engineering and data analysis. It’s a technology-driven, multidisciplinary sector,” says Jordan Stuart, Engineering Training Academy Manager.
“Apprentices are given the opportunity to take ownership of projects and work in real-world situations. We hold regular feedback sessions and continually adapt the programme to keep it relevant and flexible to the individual’s needs,” she explains.
With a culture of constant encouragement,
it also works with businesses big and small
to help cut waste, boost recycling and
turn rubbish into resources.
Women in STEM
As Stuart aptly explains: “Innovation thrives on diversity.” Through mentoring opportunities, STEM outreach and inclusive recruitment, Biffa is hoping to increase female representation across their engineering roles. “Women bring a different perspective to engineering, and we recognise the need to build a stronger, more inclusive workforce,” she adds.
“Having a diverse team is beneficial because people challenge problems in different ways. Everyone learns differently and brings unique skills, having a diverse team means better solutions,” adds Bussey.
Working with a purpose
The company is constantly evolving to meet the growing demands of the recycling industry, translating advancements in technology into real-world recycling solutions. With a culture of constant encouragement, it also works with businesses big and small to help cut waste, boost recycling and turn rubbish into resources.
“There is a real sense of purpose working at Biffa,” concludes Stuart. “There are real opportunities to make a difference. Not only do we work with new technology, but we are breaking new ground in sustainability.”
To find out more: https://www.biffa.co.uk/careers
