EMR Named North West Large Apprenticeship Employer Of The Year

Olivia Healey
2026-10-14

• EMR has won Large Apprenticeship Employer of the Year Award at the North West National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards 2026
• The award recognises EMR's long-term investment in apprenticeships, with apprentice numbers growing from eight in 2021 to 90 in 2026
• EMR will now represent the North West at the National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards 2026 final in London

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Behind every material EMR recovers, processes, and puts back into circulation are people with the skills to make it happen.

And as the world changes, those skills need to change with it.

That is why EMR, a global leader in circular materials, has made apprenticeships an important part of how it develops its people and prepares for the future - an approach that has now been recognised at the North West National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards 2026.

EMR was awarded The Large Apprenticeship Employer of the Year Award, ahead of fellow finalists Manchester Airports Group, EG Group and Lancashire County Council.

The recognition follows several years of sustained investment in apprenticeships across EMR, with the number of apprentices growing from just eight in 2021 to 90 in 2026.

"We've grown significantly since 2021, but what matters most is why we've grown. We are using apprenticeships to develop the skills our business needs, create opportunities for our people and prepare for the future.

"This award belongs to everyone who has helped make that possible - our apprentices, their managers, our apprenticeship team and the colleagues who give their time and experience to help others develop."

Tom Russell, Head of People Capability at EMR

Building skills for the future

EMR's apprenticeship programmes are built around the needs of the business, bringing new people into the industry while giving existing colleagues opportunities to learn new skills, gain qualifications and progress their careers.

The impact can already be seen. Colleagues who undertake an apprenticeship with EMR stay with the business, on average, twice as long as those who do not. Women also make up 38 per cent of colleagues currently on apprenticeship programmes, a significantly higher proportion than across EMR's wide workforce, highlighting how apprenticeships are helping create more opportunities for women in a traditionally male-dominated industry.

Programmes such as EMR's Commercial Apprentice Programme combine technical knowledge with practical experience, while apprentices also have opportunities to learn from suppliers, other businesses and one another.

"What makes me most proud is seeing what apprenticeships can mean for people. They give someone the opportunity to learn, build confidence, and develop skills they can use throughout their career.

"We've worked hard to create programmes where people feel supported and have opportunities to learn from those around them. To see that recognised at the North West awards is a huge achievement for everyone involved.

Kate Slater, Emerging Talent Lead at EMR

Inspiring the next generation

EMR's commitment to developing skills starts long before someone joins the business. Through school initiatives including Recyclabots, Maths in Business and Skips for Schools, alongside career fairs and educational activities, EMR is introducing young people to the opportunities available across the recycling industry.

From engineering and technology to commercial and operational roles, EMR is helping young people discover the breadth of careers available in recycling and the part they could play in shaping the industry's future.

This work is supported by EMR's involvement in the North West Apprenticeship Ambassador Network, where colleagues have taken on leadership roles to promote apprenticeships and highlight the opportunities they create for people and businesses.

Investing in people, today and tomorrow

The award comes shortly after EMR achieved Great Place To Work® certification across its UK, US, and European operations, continuing an unbroken record since first taking part in the programme.

Together, these achievements reflect EMR's commitment to its people and the belief behind its global brand: Everything Must Recycle.

As EMR works to keep valuable materials in circulation and turn today's materials into tomorrow's products, it is also investing in the people who make that possible - giving them the skills, opportunities and support to build their futures alongside the business.

EMR will now progress to the National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards 2026 final in London, where regional winners from across England will compete for national recognition.

The National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards are now in their 23rd year and recognise leading employers, apprentices, T Level students and skills champions from across England. More than 1,000 entries were received nationally in 2026, spanning sectors including construction, health, science, digital and the public sector.