Yard Operative Apprentice EMR

EMR GROUP LTD

Blaydon-On-Tyne, Hartlepool

Closes on Friday 5 June 2026

Posted on 31 March 2026


Summary

Kickstart your career in sustainability and help build a fairer, greener future. Join our team to support safe, efficient yard operations at our Blaydon site and across the North East, managing materials from receipt and processing through to onward movement.

Training course
Lean manufacturing operative (level 2)
Hours
Monday - Friday, 7.00am - 4.30pm.

45 hours a week

Start date

Monday 13 July 2026

Duration

1 year

Positions available

2

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

In this development role, you will work closely with other yard colleagues, mentors and managers to achieve the Lean Manufacturing Operative Level 2 apprenticeship (Material Handler pathway) in partnership with Sunderland College. Candidates must be a minimum of 18 years old and have a valid UK driving licence to apply for this opportunity.

You will be a true hero in the eyes of future generations to come- playing a key part in our bold commitment to transform our business into a provider of net-zero carbon sustainable materials by 2040. You truly will be making the world a better place to live for the next generation. 

This role is bursting with opportunity for the right person. As a General Yard Operative, you will develop fundamental knowledge, skills and expertise throughout your career. We will support you with all the training you need to be successful, such as upskilling you to operate our plant machinery. So, with the right attitude this will give you the opportunity to progress your career. 

Assessment Day - Wednesday 10th June 2026 at our Blaydon site

Salary: £21,364.20 per annum

What You Will Be Doing: 

This role has a variety of responsibilities to keep you busy throughout the day. 

  • Receipt, loading, unloading, processing, stocking, retrieval and dispatch of material using mobile plant.
  • Ensuring that material value is preserved through quality control and careful handling to avoid damage.
  • Assisting customers and colleagues at the Weighbridge and across the depot.
  • Learning the operation of various items of plant machinery in a safe manner.
  • Conducting regular checks on machinery and work areas, including the reporting of any problems.
  • Ensuring strict adherence to the company's health & safety and environmental policies.
  • Recognising and understanding the grading of ferrous and non-ferrous material.
  • Developing your commercial awareness, maintaining customers and bringing new customers into the depot.

About You:  

If you’ve got a ‘can do’ attitude, you’re a good team player, you enjoy being ‘hands-on’, you have great customer service skills, and you enjoy working outdoors in all conditions in an industrial environment- then this role could be right up your street!

Where you'll work

You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.

This apprenticeship is available in these locations:

  • Tynedale Works, Factory Road, Blaydon-On-Tyne, NE21 5RZ
  • EMR Hartlepool, Longhill Industrial Estate Thomlinson Road, Hartlepool, TS25 1NS

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

CITY OF SUNDERLAND COLLEGE

Training course

Lean manufacturing operative (level 2)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

Training schedule

Level 2 Lean Manufacturing Operative.

Requirements

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative

Other requirements

Attend an Assessment Day on Wednesday 10th June 2026 9.30am - 2.00pm at our EMR Blaydon site.

About this employer

EMR GROUP LTD is a global leader in sustainable materials with physical operations in the UK, USA, Germany and the Netherlands. Our core business is the recycling of metal and plastics from a range of public, commercial and industrial waste streams. Our recycling activities generate around 10 million tonnes of sustainable materials every year, saving over 10 million tonnes of CO2. Our mission is to have great people serving our customers with dependable recycling solutions. EMR is still privately owned, with family values at its core. It’s a place where we care about our people, our customers, our workplace and our communities. We offer diverse and exciting career opportunities where individuals can make a difference and are recognised and rewarded for their hard work.

https://uk.emrgroup.com/work-with-us (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Excellent opportunities for progression once the apprenticeship is complete, via higher level apprenticeships or into different roles within the Yard Operative teams. 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

EMR GROUP LTD

Chloe Yeadon

chloe.yeadon@emrgroup.com

07483656476

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000024212.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 5 June 2026

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.