In celebration of National Careers Week 2025, Veolia energy recovery facilities—Newhaven and Marchwood—welcomed over 40 students for a behind-the-scenes look at the environmental sector and the career pathways it offers.
Hosted by the teams behind the facilities’ operations, the Insight Days gave local students a chance to explore how waste is transformed into energy and how careers in sustainability can take many different forms. From facility tours to hands-on learning sessions, students were introduced to the real-world applications of engineering, environmental management, and communications in a modern waste and energy setting.
Participants heard directly from Veolia team members currently on apprenticeship schemes, as well as from experienced professionals who shared personal stories and career advice. Interactive Q&A sessions allowed students to ask questions and get first-hand insight into the skills and opportunities available through Veolia’s early careers programmes.
Apprentice Engineer Adam Gower, one of the Insight Day speakers, reflected on the experience:
“Sharing my own apprenticeship journey with the students was really rewarding. This is a vital and exciting industry where you can grow your career while making a real impact on the environment. I hope we inspired others to consider this pathway.”
Amy Thompson, Emerging Talent Manager at Veolia, highlighted the importance of introducing young people to careers in the sector early: “Events like these are so valuable for raising awareness about the wide range of career paths within the environmental services industry. From technical roles to corporate functions, we want young people to see that there’s a place for their talents here—and that their work can contribute to real ecological progress.”
Student attendees, including Jen Diab from Brighton Girls School, said the visit was eye-opening:
“Exploring the Newhaven facility gave me a much deeper understanding of waste management and sustainability practices. It was fascinating to learn how the site operates and how many roles are involved in keeping it running.”
As the environmental sector continues to grow, Veolia reaffirmed its commitment to developing emerging talent through apprenticeships, graduate programmes, and educational outreach. Initiatives like these Insight Days help connect young people to meaningful careers that contribute to the UK’s transition to a greener, more sustainable future.
