Successful SWAP Partnership Leads to Employment Opportunities

15 October 2025

Earlier this month, London South East Colleges successfully concluded a Sector-based Work Academy Programme (SWAP), with outstanding results. Of the ten participants, five secured full-time employment by the end of the programme.

The SWAP was run in conjunction with Cory Group, a UK leader in sustainable waste management and recycling. The programme was specifically designed to upskill unemployed individuals and prepare them for the workplace.

The Story Behind the SWAP: A Purposeful Partnership

Cory Group recently opened a new waste sorting facility along the Thames, named Riverside 2. This development created a demand for local green skills workers. Once the skills-gap was identified, LSEC and Cory Group collaborated to co-design the SWAP tailored to support unemployed individuals into work placements.

LSEC provided the course framework, facilities, students, and tutors; Cory provided the industry-relevant content and employment opportunities.

John Swallow, Recruitment and Apprenticeship Manager at Cory Group, commented:

“We’re pleased to be working with LSEC and London Borough of Bexley to help local people get into a growing industry. The training is a great way to give people the skills and confidence they need to be work-ready for these new roles.”

This partnership demonstrates the mutual benefits of co-creating training programmes to address the green skills gap and support local employment.