Colourist and Processing Specialist Apprentice

Summary

Our Polymer Processing Technician Programme enables individuals to become fully competent in not only the scientific aspects of polymer materials but also the hands on technical skills required to process materials effectively. We have industry expert coaches who deliver training on site in person ensuring development of core technical skills.

Wage

Competitive

Competitive wage offered

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course

Polymer processing technician (level 3)

Hours

39 hrs per week – Monday to Friday - Days.

39 hours a week

Start date

Friday 1 August 2025

Duration

2 years

Positions available

1

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Develop colour and additive masterbatch and compound formulations to meet the requirements of the customer
Liaise professionally with other departments, as required, to support the efficient development and delivery of formulations to meet the customer specification
Maintain all internal colour and effect standards. This includes, but is not limited to, physical plaques and electronic use of the photo-spectrometer
Support the QC and Production departments to identify and implement solutions to problematic formulations
Perform ad-hoc troubleshooting on colour and additive formulations as requested by the Lab Supervisor and Technical Manager
Provide colourist and processing support on the Material Trial process, to assess and approve all new colourants, additives and materials, which are brought into the business with a view to using them in the production of customer formulations
Support the lab supervisor in the development, implementation, and delivery of standard lab operating procedures

Where you'll work

BECCLES ROAD
UPPER HOLTON
NR HALESWORTH
SUFFOLK
IP19 8NQ

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

College or training organisation

THE S&A TRANSFORM GROUP LIMITED

Your training course

Polymer processing technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

Review instructions or information. For example, work instructions, sampling requirements, drawings dimensioning, labelling, formulations, machine settings.
Plan task and identify and organise resources with consideration for safety, environmental impact, security, quality and cost.
Identify and document hazards and risks in the workplace.
Apply health, safety, and environmental procedures in compliance with regulations and standards. For example, daily machine checks, wearing personal protective equipment.
Apply sustainability principles for example, in choice of materials, minimising waste.
Segregate resources for reuse, recycling, and handling.
Select, check, and prepare materials for polymer processing for example, weighing, control and blending, and conditioning.
Select, configure (for example, replace or change inserts) and check mould tools, formers, dies or other process equipment.
Check installation and function of processing equipment for the process.
Connect service connections such as water, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic.
Check hand tools, equipment and machinery including calibration record where applicable.
Set or check machine settings using instructions such as temperature, pressure, speed or time, distance.
Adjust machine setting for the speeds, positions, pressures and safety of the mould tool, former or die movement to meet product specification.
Start up manufacturing processes.
Monitor process feedback and adjust process parameters.
Shut down manufacturing processes.
Devise machine settings such as temperature, pressure, speed or time, distance for new or modified equipment, tooling or material.
Test and evaluate machine settings for new or modified equipment, tooling or material.
Select and apply optimal machine settings for new or modified equipment, tooling or material (for example, capability study).
Interpret data for example, process data, quality control and test procedure data. Use data to inform action.
Identify process faults and resolve.
Apply post processing techniques for example, assembly, printing, decorating, cooling operations, packing, and labelling.
Follow quality assurance processes during manufacture.
Perform quality control checks. For example, conduct parameter checks (size, colour, weight), and take samples.
Identify quality issues and resolve for example, defects, maintenance requirements.
Escalate issues outside limits of responsibility.
Apply preventative maintenance practices. For example, checking guarding, lubrication, cleaning of tooling, safety checks, and inspection for wear and tear.
Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement. For example, improving the effectiveness of existing production, improving the energy consumption or waste profile of processes and procedures to improve the sustainability or carbon footprint of a product, process or task.
Apply team working principles.
Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
Record or enter information - paper based or electronic. For example, process and production records, traceability records, and quality assurance records.
Present information.
Communicate in written form in the workplace for example, handover notes or emails, non-conformances, design change requests, technical reports.
Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
Plan how to meet personal development needs. Carry out and record planned and unplanned continued professional development (CPD) activities. Evaluate CPD against plans made.
Review instructions or information. For example, work instructions, sampling requirements, drawings dimensioning, labelling, formulations, machine settings.
Plan task and identify and organise resources with consideration for safety, environmental impact, security, quality and cost.
Identify and document hazards and risks in the workplace.
Apply health, safety, and environmental procedures in compliance with regulations and standards. For example, daily machine checks, wearing personal protective equipment.
Apply sustainability principles for example, in choice of materials, minimising waste.
Segregate resources for reuse, recycling, and handling.
Select, check, and prepare materials for polymer processing for example, weighing, control and blending, and conditioning.
Select, configure (for example, replace or change inserts) and check mould tools, formers, dies or other process equipment.
Check installation and function of processing equipment for the process.
Connect service connections such as water, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic.
Check hand tools, equipment and machinery including calibration record where applicable.
Set or check machine settings using instructions such as temperature, pressure, speed or time, distance.
Adjust machine setting for the speeds, positions, pressures and safety of the mould tool, former or die movement to meet product specification.
Start up manufacturing processes.
Monitor process feedback and adjust process parameters.
Shut down manufacturing processes.
Devise machine settings such as temperature, pressure, speed or time, distance for new or modified equipment, tooling or material.
Test and evaluate machine settings for new or modified equipment, tooling or material.
Select and apply optimal machine settings for new or modified equipment, tooling or material (for example, capability study).
Interpret data for example, process data, quality control and test procedure data. Use data to inform action.
Identify process faults and resolve.
Apply post processing techniques for example, assembly, printing, decorating, cooling operations, packing, and labelling.
Follow quality assurance processes during manufacture.
Perform quality control checks. For example, conduct parameter checks (size, colour, weight), and take samples.
Identify quality issues and resolve for example, defects, maintenance requirements.
Escalate issues outside limits of responsibility.
Apply preventative maintenance practices. For example, checking guarding, lubrication, cleaning of tooling, safety checks, and inspection for wear and tear.
Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement. For example, improving the effectiveness of existing production, improving the energy consumption or waste profile of processes and procedures to improve the sustainability or carbon footprint of a product, process or task.
Apply team working principles.
Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
Record or enter information - paper based or electronic. For example, process and production records, traceability records, and quality assurance records.
Present information.
Communicate in written form in the workplace for example, handover notes or emails, non-conformances, design change requests, technical reports.
Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
Plan how to meet personal development needs. Carry out and record planned and unplanned continued professional development (CPD) activities. Evaluate CPD against plans made.

Your training plan

Training is carried out remotely, with the potential of onsite observations with the employer
Weekly taught sessions with additional assignments and monitoring reviews

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

A Level in:

Chemistry (grade C)
Mathematics (grade C)

BTEC in:

Applied Science (grade Merit)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Presentation skills
Number skills
Analytical skills
Logical
Team working
Initiative
Patience

About this company

Established over a quarter of a century ago, Broadway is a trusted manufacturer of colour and effect masterbatches, additive masterbatches, plastic compounds and rotational moulding powders. Our materials are used in many market sectors and are supplied to plastic moulders across the UK, Europe and beyond. Many household brands have chosen to specify our accurate and consistent colourants for use in the manufacture of their plastic packaging.

https://broadwaycolours.com/about-us/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

Progression into a Senior Technical Specialist upon completion, with additional benefits and salary review
Opportunity to explore other apprenticeships programmes depending on progression pathway (L5 Technician Scientist, L3 Mechatronics, L3 Team Leader)

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