Apprentice Education Technician

Summary

The Technical Apprenticeship Programme will provide you with the ability to become the best version of yourself, taking your career with full support to the next level. We will provide you with strong knowledge and skills to support a wide range of laboratories and workshops across some of the world's leading research and teaching facilities.

Wage

£23,414 a year

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Starting salary of £23,414

Training course

Education technician (he assistant technician and simulation-based technician) (level 3)

Hours

Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm (variable times to suit workplace requirements) 1 hour for lunch.

35 hours a week

Start date

Monday 8 September 2025

Duration

2 years

Positions available

2

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

As our apprentice you will receive detailed instruction, information, and training pivotal to the successful implementation of technical support within an educational setting. From dynamic workshops, a makerspace, research institutes, to elaborate laboratory areas across the entire university. You will play a key part in supporting the setup and smooth running of teaching classes and workshops.

Day to day duties will include, but not limited to the following:

Setting out equipment in a safe and timely manner for laboratory and workshop classes
Maintain and support the management of stock levels
Maintain a clean safe working environment for users of the areas
Support the development of class materials and equipment as required
Follow defined procedures and instructions as directed by your line manager
Demonstrate how to safely perform basic processes and procedures
Assist with the induction and training of staff, students, and visitors so that they can work safely in controlled and sometimes hazardous environments
Solve problems, conduct inspections, and perform basic repairs and planned preventative maintenance to equipment
Report equipment that is faulty to minimise disruption to teaching.
Take responsibility of resources required for your own work and those of others e.g., maintaining stocks of chemicals, consumables and materials
Be responsive, agile, and flexible based on service need e.g., learn new techniques, maintain mandatory training, and seek additional training where appropriate

Where you'll work

Oxford Road
Manchester
Greater Manchester
M13 9PL

Training

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

College or training organisation

CSR SCIENTIFIC TRAINING LIMITED

Your training course

Education technician (he assistant technician and simulation-based technician) (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

Identify, prepare and lay out/set up relevant required materials/ equipment /machinery /tools using relevant protocols/Standard Operating Procedures for the purposes of teaching, learning or research activities within their area of responsibility.
Clearing up materials/ equipment /machinery /tools using relevant protocols and Standard Operating Procedures specific to clearing up.
Work safely, complying with relevant Health and Safety and local regulations or policies and protocols, escalating issues where relevant.
Demonstrate or facilitate and supervise the use of materials/ equipment /machinery /tools and equipment to meet the needs of the audience
Respond to specific enquiries about appropriate protocols and Standard Operating Procedures, basic techniques and equipment and their safe use and being able to escalate to senior technical colleagues when further clarification is required
Manufacture, construct or assemble both standard and bespoke components and demonstrate how these components integrate into larger teaching, learning and research systems and equipment.
Use creative thinking and problem solving to build on existing or new ideas in the teaching, learning or research environment based on expertise and context.
Monitor and deliver key activities such as reactive maintenance and where required repair of equipment, safety compliance, infection control during a practical class and completing accurate records in relation to the activity.
Identifying the needs and then fulfil the needs of a person or group requiring information, documentation or resource - such as a student unsure of a piece of equipment during a laboratory, studio or workshop teaching session.
Carry out basic repairs in line with specified protocols/Standard Operating Procedures and keep accurate records where appropriate. Refer more complex or critical repairs where appropriate.
Planning, monitoring and maintaining appropriate stocks of materials and equipment including budgeting and costing as required.
Prepare documentation and materials for all types of wider teaching or learning or research activities and events as required.
Communicate with key stakeholders (such as students, academics, clinicians or research staff, the general public, businesses, professional services staff and technical colleagues) using a range of techniques such as email, visual posters, verbal instructions to support teaching, research, wider activities.
Use and apply current and emerging technologies and techniques such as microscopy, 3D printing, robotics, use of lasers or light to create a range of images, automated screen printing, or virtual reality to support teaching, learning and research.
Working at times under time pressure to raise and resolve areas of concern such as malfunctioning equipment, always working safely and to best practice.
Being able to adapt to changing priorities related to both their own work and to the organisation, showing the flexibility to maintain high standards in a changing environment.
Organising own work and achieving required results within deadlines.
Apply safe working practices such as manual handling, risk assessments and infection control audits.
Facilitate, support and participate in internal or external events such as conferences, exhibitions, public engagements and open days.
Evaluate the delivery of demonstrations or facilitation for relevant activities such as setting up bespoke equipment for a practical demonstration by getting feedback from students, colleagues and make changes to practise as identified and appropriate.
Undertake data collection, data analysis, data presentation and date storage, in line with legislation, local policies and procedures, such as room usage, student footfall, inventories of equipment or experimental data.
Use of IT technologies such as management information systems
HE only: Deliver end to end equipment and resource management processes in order to identify the resource needs for their area of responsibility for higher education teaching and research activities.
HE only: Provide technical support for higher education activities such as experiments and demonstrations
HE only: Attention to detail when collating or producing information for higher education activities such as teaching and research.
SBE only: Identify, prepare, and apply the relevant moulage/special effects make-up to achieve the required results
SBE only: Demonstrates scenario coding (programming and running of scenarios using the appropriate hardware and software)
Identify, prepare and lay out/set up relevant required materials/ equipment /machinery /tools using relevant protocols/Standard Operating Procedures for the purposes of teaching, learning or research activities within their area of responsibility.
Clearing up materials/ equipment /machinery /tools using relevant protocols and Standard Operating Procedures specific to clearing up.
Work safely, complying with relevant Health and Safety and local regulations or policies and protocols, escalating issues where relevant.
Demonstrate or facilitate and supervise the use of materials/ equipment /machinery /tools and equipment to meet the needs of the audience
Respond to specific enquiries about appropriate protocols and Standard Operating Procedures, basic techniques and equipment and their safe use and being able to escalate to senior technical colleagues when further clarification is required
Manufacture, construct or assemble both standard and bespoke components and demonstrate how these components integrate into larger teaching, learning and research systems and equipment.
Use creative thinking and problem solving to build on existing or new ideas in the teaching, learning or research environment based on expertise and context.
Monitor and deliver key activities such as reactive maintenance and where required repair of equipment, safety compliance, infection control during a practical class and completing accurate records in relation to the activity.
Identifying the needs and then fulfil the needs of a person or group requiring information, documentation or resource - such as a student unsure of a piece of equipment during a laboratory, studio or workshop teaching session.
Carry out basic repairs in line with specified protocols/Standard Operating Procedures and keep accurate records where appropriate. Refer more complex or critical repairs where appropriate.
Planning, monitoring and maintaining appropriate stocks of materials and equipment including budgeting and costing as required.
Prepare documentation and materials for all types of wider teaching or learning or research activities and events as required.
Communicate with key stakeholders (such as students, academics, clinicians or research staff, the general public, businesses, professional services staff and technical colleagues) using a range of techniques such as email, visual posters, verbal instructions to support teaching, research, wider activities.
Use and apply current and emerging technologies and techniques such as microscopy, 3D printing, robotics, use of lasers or light to create a range of images, automated screen printing, or virtual reality to support teaching, learning and research.
Working at times under time pressure to raise and resolve areas of concern such as malfunctioning equipment, always working safely and to best practice.
Being able to adapt to changing priorities related to both their own work and to the organisation, showing the flexibility to maintain high standards in a changing environment.
Organising own work and achieving required results within deadlines.
Apply safe working practices such as manual handling, risk assessments and infection control audits.
Facilitate, support and participate in internal or external events such as conferences, exhibitions, public engagements and open days.
Evaluate the delivery of demonstrations or facilitation for relevant activities such as setting up bespoke equipment for a practical demonstration by getting feedback from students, colleagues and make changes to practise as identified and appropriate.
Undertake data collection, data analysis, data presentation and date storage, in line with legislation, local policies and procedures, such as room usage, student footfall, inventories of equipment or experimental data.
Use of IT technologies such as management information systems

Your training plan

In addition to your Level 3 apprenticeship qualification, we offer a unique 2 year apprenticeship programme filled to the brim with a wide range of certified qualifications such as, Producing Components Using Hand Fitting Techniques, Assembling and Testing Electronic Circuits, Electrical Safety and Fundamentals, Test Equipment and Fault Diagnosis, Soldering, Maintaining Mechanical Devices and Equipment. In addition to Safety courses such as, Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), Chemicals of Substance Hazardous to Health (COSHH), Safe use of Hand and Power tools, Manual Handling, Portable Appliance Testing.

The initial training is deliberately broad to teach a wide range of technical competencies allowing you time to learn and discover the variety of careers within an everchanging Science and Engineering environment.

Later in your programme you will learn to undertake many key workshop procedures, supporting research, teaching, and infrastructure requirements, independently and competently to support the university.

You will spend a mixture of time working alongside a block and day release course to gain the technical skills required to carry out your duties as a Higher Education Technician. We will provide you with all the necessary tools and equipment, uniform, and robust training to make this the apprenticeship of your choice.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4 or equivalent)
Mathematics (grade 4 or equivalent)

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

Engineering (grade 4 or equivalent)
Science (grade 4 or equivalent)

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
Team working
Initiative
Strong work-ethic
Independent working
Interest in STEM subjects
Desire to progress

Other requirements

We are strongly committed to promoting equality, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility and encourage all applicants to apply. Our university is positive about flexible working, blended working arrangements may be considered.

About this company

One of the world’s leading universities built on research and teaching practices, coupled with one of the most respected apprenticeship programmes in the UK. Our programme builds its success’s year-on-year and continues to develop, matching the needs of the university and our community. We are proud of our strong reputation, supporting each of our apprentices with individualised training, specialised projects, and targeted development to build a future career at the cutting edge of technology.

https://www.apprenticeships.manchester.ac.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Generous annual leave plus closures. Pension for you and family. Well-being, counselling, and health support. Learning and development opportunities. Transport loans, Cycle to Work schemes. Workplace nursery. Staff discounts on high street and online

After this apprenticeship

Upon completion of the apprenticeship in 2 years’ time, you will have a portfolio of key science and engineering skills and a wealth of varied, relevant experience

Most apprentices are successful in securing a role with the university or choose to continue their academic studies. Opportunities to progress onto a higher apprenticeship or degree apprenticeship exist for high-performing candidates upon completion of their first apprenticeship with us. Whilst we cannot guarantee a permanent position at the University of Manchester, we endeavour to match apprentices with appropriate vacancies and support them through the entire application process.

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