Early careers at Olleco
Olleco helps the hospitality sector fight the climate emergency
Olleco is the renewable division of ABP Food Group, proudly being the UK’s leading supplier of premium cooking oils and collector of used cooking oil and food waste.
• 1000 people employed
• 20+ sites in the UK and Ireland
• 50,000 customers served
• Three used cooking oil processing plants
• Three anaerobic digestion plants
• One biodiesel plant
• One bulk liquid port terminal
Closing the loop
Olleco enables food industry partners to adopt a “closed loop” for all their biological resources and play their part in the circular economy.
Oil
We supply customers with fresh oil, collect the used oil and convert it into biodiesel for fuel courts and logistic fleets.
Food waste
We collect food waste from our customers as well as bulk and ad-hoc collections.
We then convert it into gas, electricity and organinic fertiliser.
Total Resource Management
We assist customers in managing all their waste streams to reduce their carbon emissions.
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Our values
Who we are when we’re at our best
Multiaward winning
As a testament to our commitment to our customers and the circular economy, we have won several awards over the years including:
• The Guardian Sustainable Business Award 2015
• Mitchells & Butlers
Indirect Supplier of the Year Award 2023
• Waste2Zero
Best Closed Loop Project Award 2023
• National Recycling Awards
Circular Economy Initiative 2023
Apprenticeships
Duration - 1 to 4 years
University or college qualifications are not required.
We offer a variety of exciting and rewarding apprenticeships ranging from level 2 to level 7 in areas and roles including, but not limited to, engineering, laboratory technician, IT, learning and development, coaching and leadership.
We work with a variety of training providers to ensure that each apprentice has a quality experience where they can gain industry knowledge, have the space to put their knowledge and skills to the test, as well as develop the appropriate behaviours to perform to the best of their ability. Each apprenticeship is different and tailored to your experience, which will be shared and discussed with you during the application process.
Level 2 Functional Skills (Maths and English) is required. If these have not already been achieved you may be able to to study towards this alongside your apprenticeship qualification.
When you join the Olleco team
You’ll be welcomed by an onsite induction, and get to meet with various people around the business, allowing you to understand more about Olleco and get to know some of the key people who will form part of your journey with us. Where required, you will receive personal protection equipment and anything else you’ll need to complete your role.
As part of your apprenticeship, you will be teamed up with a mentor, who will provide you with guidance and support throughout.
Case studies
Apprenticeships
Kevin Kirubakaran
Kevin is an Engineering Apprentice at our anaerobic digestion plant completing his degree in electrical engineering at Buckinghamshire New University. During Kevin’s time with us, he has been entered for AD Rising Star at the AD and Biogas Industry Awards.
Millie Robinson
Millie works at our Liverpool site, working in the lab four days a week and attending college one day a week. After recently completing a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Chemistry and obtaining her lab technician qualification, Millie is now going on to complete her Higher National Diploma (HND).
Completing my HNC in chemistry and obtaining my lab technician qualification has been a significant career achievement for me!
Initially, I worried my limited experience and knowledge compared to my colleagues, would overwhelm me. However, my lab team and everyone at Olleco welcomed me with open arms and were ready to help and support me which I am forever grateful for. The entire team at Liverpool have taken the time to teach me analytical, scientific and people skills that will be precious throughout my working career.
This is my first job so entering a professional environment for the first time was daunting. However, my colleagues were incredibly encouraging, supportive and willing to share their knowledge to any questions I had.
The most enjoyable aspect of my role is its variety. No day is the same and each day brings new challenges and opportunities to learn new things. I have been involved in many aspects including site operations, troubleshooting plant equipment, and collaborating on projects.
A pinnacle moment in my apprenticeship was working on plant improvement projects. It was exciting to apply my theoretical knowledge from university and witness how engineering concepts translate into real results.
The experience I’ve gained working at Olleco has been incredibly valuable and rewarding, I’d highly recommend a degree apprenticeship to anyone who may be considering it.
I really enjoyed the college experience; learning new concepts and ideas, meeting new people, attending practical weeks and completing research. For this reason, and to continue expanding my knowledge, I am now progressing onto a HND programme. Knowing Olleco would support me in my next steps really gave me a push to go further.
To sum up my apprenticeship experience in three words it would be exciting, challenging and fun!
Trainees
Duration - two years University or college qualifications are not required.
We offer a variety of exciting and rewarding trainee programmes including, but not limited to, finance and accounting and driver training to support trainees to obtain a class two licence.
We work with a variety of training providers to ensure that each trainee has a high quality experience where they can gain more knowledge in their specialist area, have the space to practice and progress their new skills, as well as develop the appropriate behaviours to perform to the best of their ability. Training programmes are available to all new and existing employees looking to improve their skills, knowledge and to gain certification.
When you join the Olleco team You’ll be welcomed by an onsite induction, and get to meet with various people around the business, allowing you to understand more about Olleco and get to know some of the key people who will form part of your journey with us. Where required, you will receive personal protection equipment and anything else you’ll need to complete your role.
As part of your training programme, you will be teamed up with a mentor, who will provide you with guidance and support throughout.
Case studies
Trainees
Kate Appleby
Kate started at Olleco as a Credit Controller, obtaining her AAT and ACAA qualifications and working her way up to her current role as Group Management Accountant.
David MacDonald
David has worked at Olleco for ten years at our Scotland depot, starting as a Warehouse Operative, then as a Trainee Driver, completing a two-year driving training course to obtain his class two license and now working as a Lead Driver.
When joining Olleco I had very little experience of accountancy, I was very fortunate to find a company willing to support me through my AAT and ACCA qualifications.
I spent 3-4 years completing these qualifications and everyone at Olleco was very supportive of me during this time and after the years of progression I was given the opportunity to work alongside the Chief Finance Officer as Group Management Accountant. Jumping at the opportunity it has given me incredible insight into the work that goes into improving our sustainable planet.
I have also completed a bespoke leadership course through the Irish Management Institute opening my eyes to discovering who I am as a leader and giving me the opportunity to meet and network with my ABP colleagues.
I am very grateful for the support and opportunities I’ve received over the years and I look forward to watching myself and Olleco thrive in this critical industry.
The trainee driver programme was a great opportunity for me to obtain a new qualification whilst being able to continue working and learning how the role of a driver was carried out. The programme involved both theoretical and practical assessments and through my hard work and dedication I passed all of my assessments first time and obtained my class two driving license.
Being able to go on my first run as a driver was a special moment for me, I was able to put all my knowledge and experience to the test and it gave me a great feeling of accomplishment. Another special moment was when I was asked to become a lead driver, which is my current role. I now train and develop drivers, either new starters or recently promoted trainee drivers within Olleco on how to perform their role to a high standard. This is a very rewarding experience for me, seeing drivers become successful in their new role with my help.
The advice I would give to young people who may be going through a career journey or want to progress on a new one is to be open to any opportunities that may present themselves as you’ll never know where it could take you.
Graduates
Duration - two years (three for finance)
University qualification required 2.2 or above
All our graduate programmes commence at any time of the year, giving our graduates the flexibility of joining when they’re ready to start embarking on their career. Our programmes include but are not limited to, Finance, Marketing, Business Development and IT. Over the two years, graduates can experience various touchpoints of the business with six-month placements in four different departments or teams that relate to their specialist area.
When you join the Olleco team
You’ll be welcomed with a week-long induction, introducing you to various people around the business, allowing you to understand more about the business and meet some of the key people who will form part of your journey with us. Where required, you will also receive personal protection equipment and anything else you’ll need to complete your role.
Case studies Graduates
Rachael Vincent
Rachael started at Olleco in 2015, starting as Marketing and Communications Assistant and making her way up to Marketing and Communications Manager. During her time at Olleco, Rachael has also completed various assessments and is an Associate Chartered Marketer with the CIM.
Graduating with a BA in fashion marketing, I started my career journey at a sustainable fashion company. When deciding to move on, I knew I wanted to work in marketing for a sustainability company and being able to join Olleco as a not-so-new graduate was perfect me.
My journey at Olleco has been amazing, I’ve been able to get involved in so many different projects and areas of the business. There are so many different pockets to Olleco, that even now, I am still learning new things every day.
Aside from the people I get to interact with, my favourite part of my journey has been the opportunity to have creative expression. This has developed to mean different things for me as my roles have progressed.
My advice for young people or recent graduates would be to put yourself forward for every opportunity – skills are always transferrable even when they seem very specific. I started in fashion and now I work with renewable energy!
Ciara O’Keeffe O’Donovan Ciara joined Olleco in 2015 as a Chemical Engineering graduate. Ciara’s journey through Olleco has been widely varied, experiencing several areas of the business and making her way up from a graduate to Chief Operating Officer.
Having studied Chemical Engineering at University, I was excited to work for a company that was making a difference in the waste and energy sector. From the first day I joined I was given tangible responsibilities, leading the project engineering for Olleco’s £23m Anaerobic Digestion Plant in Aylesbury.
Despite my limited experience, my ideas were always considered and respected, and I was treated as a valuable member of the team. After the project, I was offered the role to manage the AD plant, which was a huge step up for me. The business supported me in this transition and put measures in place to help me grow into that management role. Over time, I diversified my skill set through stints in National Sales and Business Development, broadening my expertise beyond operational realms.
I was then delighted to be promoted to Chief Operating Officer, a role that continually challenges me to explore new horizons and refine my leadership skills. I have always tried to take on any role with self-reflection and a wish to learn more. I try to reflect on aspects of the role which I find hardest and seek feedback and ideas from colleagues around me.
The most rewarding part of my job is working with the colleagues around me, and together bringing ideas to life.
timeline journey
Whether it is from 12 months to 2 years, you will follow a similar timeline process, however it may differ slightly depending on the programme you follow but this will be discussed and arranged with you during interview.
Key Apprenticeship timeline
Graduate timeline
Start of apprenticeship
Start of year
Objectives set with start of rotation
First 12 week review
Second 12 week review
Third 12 week review
End of practical learning
End point assessment
Mid rotation review
End of rotation review and start new rotation
Mid rotation review
End of year
End of rotation review and start new rotation
This is a sample timeline and will vary depending on the duration of the programme being followed
How do I apply?
Apply through our online career portal including your CV and cover letter. This is your time to shine and make a great first impression.
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Typically the first round of interviews will take place online with our HR lead and/ or Hiring Manager
A second stage interview will take place on person with other members of the management team
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You’ll be offered a position if you are successful
Your journey at Olleco begins
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Please note: Depending on the position you are applying for, you may be requested to prepare some material beforehand or take part in a practical assessment.
