A CUTTING-EDGE recycling firm has taken on seven apprentices from Honda to help them complete their programme.

Recycling Technologies in Stirling Road has linked up with Swindon College for the scheme.

This comes after Honda announced it will shut its Swindon plan next year, resulting in 3,500 job loss.

Honda apprentice Tomasz Piela said: “I used to work as a production operative at Honda on its assembly line before moving over to the technical apprenticeship.

“I’m delighted to be joining Recycling Technologies and enhance my career prospects. It’s very exciting to be working a company developing and manufacturing specialist plastic recycling equipment.”

The group, who had their first day yesterday, are taking part in a four-year apprenticeship.

Six have already completed two years at Honda and one has a year left.

HR director Penny Grobler said: “We are delighted to have brought the apprentices from Honda on board.

“Following the announcement of its closure, we worked closely with Honda’s team to identify opportunities for apprentices, as we knew they would be highly motivated, keen to learn new skills and attain academic qualifications.

“We are proud to have launched our apprenticeship programme, in conjunction with Swindon College, to include formal qualifications, engineering and other general business skills. This will allow valued employees of all ages to develop life-long skills whilst attaining valuable academic qualifications.

“Apprenticeships are key to developing our team, our business and supporting employment in the Swindon community.”

Manufacturing director Dale Rautenbach, said: “We are always looking to recruit talented employees as we grow our business.

“We have developed a unique and specialist technology to recycle plastic.

“These apprentices are integral to our future and the development of a skilled workforce allows us to manufacture our specialist plastic recycling machinery from our base in Swindon.”

North Swindon MP Justin Tomlinson said: “It’s a welcome announcement and a real boost for these talented and hard-working apprentices.

“In these unprecedented times, we will continue to support all our local employers who can offer the next generation of opportunities. Recycling Technologies are an increasingly important part of employment mix in Swindon.”

A Honda spokesman said: “We are delighted to have successfully found alternative employment for our apprentices. We wish them the very best in their future careers.”

Recycling Technologies has developed a machine which can melt plastics that cannot be recycled and turn them into an oil used to make new products. The RT7000 recycles low-grade plastic waste into a material for new plastic production.