Care‑experienced young people in Devon are being given valuable opportunities to build confidence, gain real‑world experience and take their first steps into employment.

Recently, through a partnership between Devon County Council (DCC) SUEZ recycling and recovery UK and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) an initiative at the Pinbrook Road Household Waste Recycling Centre in Exeter brought together local young adults aged 18 to 25 who have left the care system or who are unemployed and not in education or training.

The centre is managed by SUEZ on behalf of DCC and the event, was one of a series of employability skills sessions delivered by the company to support care leavers and long‑term unemployed people across Devon. Further work placements, careers events and behind‑the‑scenes site tours are planned throughout 2026.

During the day, participants were given a rare opportunity to explore workplace options in a supportive environment tailored to their needs. They heard directly from staff about their own career journeys and the wide range of roles available within the waste and recycling sector. Site tours and mock interviews gave practical experience designed to build confidence and prepare young people for real‑world recruitment, with participants also encouraged to apply for live vacancies within the company.

The initiative builds on SUEZ’s ongoing involvement in the national Care Leaver Covenant, created as part of the Government’s Keep on Caring policy, which aims to help young people leaving care succeed in the world of work. Supporting care leavers forms a key part of the company’s commitment to social mobility and inclusive recruitment.

Emily Bussey, Recruitment Manager for Social Mobility and Inclusion at SUEZ, said:

“It was a real pleasure to work with the group, showcasing what SUEZ has to offer and helping them consider career paths they may not have thought about before. By collaborating with DWP, we aim to create meaningful opportunities that will have a lasting impact and potentially lead to employment.”

The work with SUEZ complements DCC’s wider commitment as a corporate parent to support care‑experienced young people into education, employment and training.

The Council has created and ring‑fenced several roles specifically for care‑experienced people and employs dedicated Education, Employment and Training Personal Advisers who work closely with young people leaving care to help them find and sustain positive opportunities.

They have also partnered with Exeter College to develop the Positive About Care Experience (PACE) programme, which supports employers to recruit, retain and support care‑experienced people in the workplace.

Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Devon County Council Cabinet Member for Waste Services, said:

“Corporate parenting is rightly a high priority for Devon County Council, and I’m delighted that through our recycling centres and our partnership with SUEZ we are engaging with care leavers and other young people to offer meaningful employment opportunities.”

Councillor Jacqi Hodgson, Leader of the Green and Independent Group and Cabinet Member for Climate Change and Bio-diversity

Councillor Richard Jefferies, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, added:

“Supporting young people who are not in education, employment or training is vital. By giving them the confidence, skills and encouragement they need, we help remove barriers and open up opportunities that can shape their future.

“When organisations like SUEZ and Devon County Council work together to provide practical experience and positive guidance, it makes a real difference to the lives of those who need it most.

“We are keen to hear from other businesses interested in working together to develop work experience, apprenticeships and ring‑fenced roles, and to support both employers and care‑experienced young people as they begin their employment journeys together.”