As a business, we have grown steadily over the years. We now have 122 employees, around 75 of whom live in the Ipswich area. That is not something we think about as a statistic. It is something we are genuinely proud of.

The way we have grown reflects a straightforward belief: the best people are often the ones you invest in from the beginning. Apprenticeships have been a central part of how we do that.

A long-standing commitment to apprenticeships

Over the years, a number of people have come through Binder as apprentices and gone on to build long, meaningful careers here. Previous apprentices include James Thatcher, Ryan Hunn, Joel Lomax, Kyle Burrows, and Oliver Fenn, whose story we have written about separately.

Right now, we have four apprentices working across the business: Josh Macfarlane, Danny Mayes, Charlie Cobb, and Evan Lockwood. Each of them is at an early stage of what we hope will be a long career with us.

“If you come with a strong work ethic, you will do well here.” – Oliver Fenn, Maintenance Manager

What an apprenticeship at Binder looks like

We are a wastewater solutions business working across East Anglia. That means our apprentices are learning practical, hands-on skills in a specialist field, supported by experienced engineers and a team that takes development seriously.

Day to day, an apprentice at Binder will work alongside senior members of the team, build their technical knowledge in the field, and gradually take on more responsibility as their confidence grows. We do not throw people in at the deep end. We build people up steadily, at a pace that makes sense.

Mentoring is informal but consistent. Our people look out for each other. That is just how the business works.

Why the local community matters to us

With around 75 of our 122 employees based in the Ipswich area, Binder is genuinely embedded in the community it serves. When we take on an apprentice, we are not just filling a role. We are often giving someone local their first real step into a career, and investing in them for the long term.

That connection to the local area has stayed important to us as we have grown. We are not a national employer with no roots. We know the people who work here, and we know the communities we operate in.

A real example of what is possible

Oliver Fenn joined us as an apprentice in 2015. He had no experience and a lot to learn. Ten years on, he is our Maintenance Manager, leading a team and playing a central role in how the business operates.

His journey took him through engineering, lone-working, scheduling, and supervision before he stepped into management before the age of 30. It was not fast-tracked. It was built steadily, with the right support at every stage.

“Binder has that family feel where you are never just a number.” – Oliver Fenn

You can read Oli’s story in full in our blog: From Apprentice to Maintenance Manager: Oli’s Story.

Thinking about an apprenticeship with Binder?

If you are at the start of your career and looking for somewhere that will invest in you properly, we would be glad to hear from you.

We are not looking for perfection on day one. We are looking for the right attitude and a willingness to work hard and learn. The rest, as Oli’s career shows, tends to follow.

Call us on 01473 830582 or get in touch through our website to find out more about apprenticeship opportunities at Binder.