Biffa to recruit 2,000 young people under Youth Guarantee

Biffa, one of the UK's largest waste companies, has announced plans to recruit up to 2,000 young people into new roles across the country. The announcement was made on 12 November and backed by the government as part of its Youth Guarantee.

The roles cover Driver's Mate positions, recycling operations, green energy, sustainability and specialist teams. Further opportunities are available across Biffa's wider businesses, including Company Shop Group.

The aim is for every young person to move into a permanent role. Where no vacancy is open at the end of a placement, the Biffa Next Gen scheme will, with the individual's permission, share their details with Biffa's supply chain and partner organisations to help them find work.

Each young person taken on will be paired with a dedicated mentor working the same shift pattern, to help them settle in and build confidence. Biffa said it is working closely with Jobcentre Plus and local partners.

Biffa employs around 13,000 people at about 300 locations across the UK. Its customers include businesses in retail, manufacturing, logistics, construction, hospitality and local government.

The government has committed £2.5 billion over three years to Youth Guarantee schemes. These include £3,000 payments for businesses that hire a young person who has been out of work for six months, and an expansion of youth apprenticeships.

Under the guaranteed jobs element, eligible people aged 18 to 24 who have been claiming Universal Credit and looking for work for 18 months will be guaranteed a six-month fully funded job. The government will cover 100% of employment costs for up to 25 hours a week at the relevant minimum wage, alongside tailored employability support.

A new Large Employer Pathway is designed to make participation easier for bigger firms. It is open to employers with 250 or more staff who expect to offer 10 or more jobs and want to recruit in more than one part of the country.

Employers who do not already work with DWP's Strategic Relationship Team can also apply. Biffa joins Amazon, McDonald's, Severn Trent, John Lewis, Lidl and Mitchells & Butlers among the employers backing the programme. Pat McFadden is to visit Biffa's waste management site in North London to meet staff and apprentices.