Making the grade on Biffa’s Graduate Scheme
16 May 2025
3 mins
Since Biffa’s Graduate Scheme was launched in 2021, more than 45 young men and women have been welcomed into the business
Since Biffa’s Graduate Scheme was launched in 2021, more than 45 young men and women have been welcomed into the business, from office-based roles such as finance and IT to frontline operations in its Specialist Services and Industrial & Commercial divisions.
Recruited into permanent, full-time, salaried positions, the scheme also gives graduates the opportunity to see other parts of the business in action so they can gain a deeper understanding of the expertise required to manage the complex waste process.
For most graduates, the scheme lasts 18 months, but for those on the finance scheme, it’s three years due to their Chartered Institute of Management Accountants exams.
Personal development training, mentorship and the opportunity to meet and network with other graduates and Biffa colleagues, are also a key feature of the scheme.
Upon completion, the graduates are immersed into their respective areas to continue their career growth journey, cementing their place in a strong and diverse workforce and with the potential to become waste management leaders of the future.
With Biffa’s sixth cohort of graduates due to join the business this September, we spoke to Tom Brown and Celia Rice about their own experience of the scheme.
Tom completed the scheme a couple of years ago and now manages a busy depot at Swindon, while economics graduate Celia is two-thirds of the way through her scheme within the finance department.
Recruited into permanent, full-time, salaried positions, the scheme also gives graduates the opportunity to see other parts of the business in action so they can gain a deeper understanding of the expertise required to manage the complex waste process.
For most graduates, the scheme lasts 18 months, but for those on the finance scheme, it’s three years due to their Chartered Institute of Management Accountants exams.
Personal development training, mentorship and the opportunity to meet and network with other graduates and Biffa colleagues, are also a key feature of the scheme.
Upon completion, the graduates are immersed into their respective areas to continue their career growth journey, cementing their place in a strong and diverse workforce and with the potential to become waste management leaders of the future.
With Biffa’s sixth cohort of graduates due to join the business this September, we spoke to Tom Brown and Celia Rice about their own experience of the scheme.
Tom completed the scheme a couple of years ago and now manages a busy depot at Swindon, while economics graduate Celia is two-thirds of the way through her scheme within the finance department.
Hi Celia & Tom, thank you so much for taking some time out of your busy days. Firstly, tell us a little bit about yourselves.
Celia: Hi, I’m 24, and I studied Economics at the University of Sheffield and graduated in 2023. Since university I have moved back home with my parents in Ascot. I have been at Biffa since September 2023.Tom: I’m 29 and grew up in a small town called Burnham on Sea. I moved to Bristol around four years ago after finishing university. I enjoy running, going to the gym and eating out.
What are your respective roles at Biffa? What does a typical day look like?
Celia: I am currently working in the lease team at Biffa’s head office in High Wycombe. My daily tasks can vary depending on where we are in the month. On a typical day, I analyse financial information relating to plant and vehicle hire. Month end can get quite busy as we prepare the numbers and reports for the period.Tom: Every day is different. Managing an operation brings many challenges such as vehicle breakdowns which can have a knock-on effect for the rest of the week, not just that day. We have 16 vehicles at the depot which I am the named transport manager for, so I am managing this alongside the health and safety, finances and commercial side of the business.
You’re both at different stages of your career journey, from joining Biffa’s Graduate Scheme. Tell us where you’re currently at in that process.
Celia: I am currently in my second out of three years on the finance graduate scheme. As part of the programme, I am also working towards the CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accounting) qualification and I’m just over halfway through completing that.Tom: I have been at Biffa for four years in November. I spent my time training in the South West whilst on the Graduate Scheme. I then continued in the operational support manager role I was doing already. The role was a great way to meet people and travel to new places. I am now the depot manager in Swindon where we also have a transfer station.
How did you hear about the scheme, and what was the application/interview process like?
Celia: I first found the Graduate Scheme on LinkedIn. After applying, I was invited to do a virtual interview. This was followed by an assessment where I took part in a group interview, individual interview and a presentation. Although the interview process was challenging, it provided me with valuable insights into Biffa and the structure of the scheme.Tom: From my previous role as a warehouse manager for a gym installation company, I wanted something where I could learn the fundamentals of running a business. I thought a graduate operations manager would be a good place to start. The application process was very intuitive, with online conferences taking place at different stages to inform everyone what was happening and what the job roles may look like. The interviews were challenging but everyone I met was friendly which made the three interviews much easier.
The waste industry isn’t perhaps top of every graduate’s career wish list, but would you recommend it, and why?
Celia: Yes, definitely! The waste industry offers a range of career opportunities, allowing you to collaborate with diverse teams and gain insights into various areas of the industry.Tom: Everybody produces waste, and a lot of people overlook its importance. It may not be the top of most people’s career wishlist, but it offers stability and a real impact on the world we live in. We are at a stage where our planet’s future is being jeopardised. With the push towards renewable energy, the industry is a fundamental part of lowering carbon footprints.
What has surprised you most about working for Biffa and/or the waste industry in general?
Celia: Just how complicated the waste industry is! From the various methods of recycling different materials to the process of generating energy from waste. Having the opportunity to visit sites and witness firsthand the operations that take place after the waste has been collected has been an eye-opening experience.Tom: One of the big surprises working for Biffa is its scale. The company does so much, all the way from business waste collections to the anaerobic digestion of food waste. There are still things the company does that I am learning about after nearly four years.
Finally, how do you see your career progressing over the next five to 10 years?
Celia: Obviously I hope to get my CIMA qualification, and I’d really love to get some experience with our mergers & acquisitions team if possible. After that, who knows! The great thing about this business is that there are lots of options. I’m excited for whatever the future here holds.Tom: I want to keep learning about the industry and the job role I am in now. I haven’t decided anything on my next career move but a bigger operation or a more senior position will be next!
