Materials Technician Apprentice (Level 3) - SoilEx

SOILEX ENVIRONMENTAL LTD

Recruiting nationally

Closes in 22 days (Friday 26 September 2025)

Posted on 3 September 2025

Print

Contents

Summary

We are delighted to offer an opportunity for a Materials Technician Apprentice to join our team, supporting the delivery of field-based sampling and investigation projects across the UK. This role ensures accurate data collection, working on-site to gather, document, and communicate essential information that underpins project success.

Wage

£22,000 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Starting salary of £22,000/year (Increasing to NMW after 12 months, depending on age)

Training course
Laboratory technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm.

40 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 1 October 2025

Duration

1 year 9 months

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

Site-Based Sampling & Assessment

  • Attend sites nationwide to carry out soil and waste sampling using appropriate techniques
  • Conduct visual and olfactory assessments of materials and accurately record observations
  • Take photographs and create clear, professional documentation of site activities for reporting purposes
  • Identify and confirm appropriate sampling locations in collaboration with clients and the internal Technical Team
  • Ensure compliance with all relevant health & safety protocols and environmental guidance during site operations

Communication & Coordination

  • Liaise with site-based personnel to ensure efficient scheduling and execution of fieldwork
  • Maintain close communication with office-based staff to coordinate
  • logistics and ensure consistency in data recording and reporting
    Represent the company professionally when interacting with clients and contractors on-site

Documentation & Reporting

  • Accurately log sampling information, including site observations, sampling methods, and supporting photographic evidence
  • Support the Technical Team by providing detailed field data to inform waste classification and reporting processes

Where you'll work

The main area of work will be in South East England however travel to other national sites will be required within the role.

Training

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

Training provider

TIRO TRAINING LTD

Training course

Laboratory technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Comply with health and safety policies and procedures including HASWA, COSHH, risk assessments, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), manual handling, emergency procedures.
  • Maintain excellent housekeeping, in accordance with organisation Standard Procedures
  • Order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required
  • Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks applying the concepts of resource efficiency e.g energy, water and waste
  • Adhere to internal and external regulatory requirements e.g. GLP, GMP, GDP
  • Prepare for, and perform, laboratory experiments, tests or tasks following any specified methodologies to provide reliable, accurate data e.g. weighing, pipetting, filtering, spectroscopic techniques, chromatography techniques
  • Demonstrate technical competence in the use of specified instruments and equipment
  • Report faults and seek diagnostic advice to maintain equipment in good working order, including calibration where required
  • Complete documentation proficiently
  • Keep accurate records of laboratory work undertaken and results
  • Contribute to the preparation of reports.
  • Use simple statistical techniques for data presentation and evaluation e. g calculation of median and standard deviation, production of graphs
  • Demonstrate problem solving techniques including identification of sources of error and how they can be reduced e.g. human error
  • Use standard software packages and applications e.g. Microsoft Office suite
  • Use Laboratory Information Management systems to support their work
  • Address non-routine problems with samples and instrumentation, within defined areas
  • Identify relevant information from scientific sources e.g. supervisors, literature etc. in order to contribute to solutions
  • Participate in continuous performance improvement of systems and processes relevant to the work environment e.g. workplace organisation techniques, accreditation (e.g. ISO, UKAS) and proficiency testing.
  • Evaluate data, recognise and call attention to anomalous or unusual results
  • Comply with health and safety policies and procedures including HASWA, COSHH, risk assessments, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), manual handling, emergency procedures.
  • Maintain excellent housekeeping, in accordance with organisation Standard Procedures
  • Order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required
  • Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks applying the concepts of resource efficiency e.g energy, water and waste
  • Adhere to internal and external regulatory requirements e.g. GLP, GMP, GDP
  • Prepare for, and perform, laboratory experiments, tests or tasks following any specified methodologies to provide reliable, accurate data e.g. weighing, pipetting, filtering, spectroscopic techniques, chromatography techniques
  • Demonstrate technical competence in the use of specified instruments and equipment
  • Report faults and seek diagnostic advice to maintain equipment in good working order, including calibration where required
  • Complete documentation proficiently
  • Keep accurate records of laboratory work undertaken and results
  • Contribute to the preparation of reports.
  • Use simple statistical techniques for data presentation and evaluation e. g calculation of median and standard deviation, production of graphs
  • Demonstrate problem solving techniques including identification of sources of error and how they can be reduced e.g. human error
  • Use standard software packages and applications e.g. Microsoft Office suite
  • Use Laboratory Information Management systems to support their work
  • Address non-routine problems with samples and instrumentation, within defined areas
  • Identify relevant information from scientific sources e.g. supervisors, literature etc. in order to contribute to solutions
  • Participate in continuous performance improvement of systems and processes relevant to the work environment e.g. workplace organisation techniques, accreditation (e.g. ISO, UKAS) and proficiency testing.
  • Evaluate data, recognise and call attention to anomalous or unusual results

Training schedule

Over 21 months, you’ll devote a minimum of 6 hours of your working week on ‘off the job’ training. This can include theory training (for example, virtual lessons & online learning), alongside practical training (for example shadowing, mentoring, & time spent writing assignments. Together this will count towards a Level 3 Materials Technician apprenticeship.

You’ll be trained by an expert tutor from Tiro as well as an experienced mentor at SoilEx who together, will make sure you develop the knowledge, skills, and work habits you’ll need to succeed in your career.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4 / C +)
  • Maths (grade 4 / C +)
  • Science (grade 4 / C +)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative

Other requirements

Due to the nature of this role and insurance purposes, you must be 21+ and have a full UK driving licence.

About this employer

SoilEx was founded in 2019 by Alex Collman, who’s 15 years of experience in the industry had led him to realise a genuine gap in the construction waste sector supply chain. This realisation led to the start of SoilEx and our humble beginnings in a small, shared office in Hemel Hempstead. As the uptake of the SoilEx service grew, so did our team, bringing in some of the best the industry has to offer, all of which have come from the “muck shifting” background, ensuring that we continued to offer advice that works in the real world. We took permanent office space in Harpenden in 2021 and opened its second office in Everton (Nr. Doncaster) in late 2024 as the demand for our services grew nationally with some of the country’s largest contractors. In early 2025 we launched our digital portal ConnEx, meaning we can deliver the same quality service, but with centralised and easier to understand data. We continue to innovate and promote industry leading services with the launch of the ExBox and ExBag and are committed to our mission statement.

https://soilex.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays Private Healthcare Company pension scheme Regular training and CPD opportunities Company van - Fuel card

After this apprenticeship

When you join SoilEx, the possibilities for your success are limitless. As a successful applicant, you have the potential to secure a full-time position within the company at the conclusion of your apprenticeship.

Through practical, on-the-job training, you will develop new skills and gain the competence and responsibility required for materials testing and analysis. This apprenticeship serves as a stepping stone towards a rewarding career in materials science, with the added opportunity for the apprentice to become a registered Science Technician (RSci Tech).

This programme opens up a variety of career pathways across industries including construction materials, civil engineering, geotechnical investigation, environmental consultancy, and infrastructure development, ensuring your materials science skills are in demand across multiple sectors.

This apprenticeship can also help pave the way for further educational and professional advancement. You may choose to pursue higher-level qualifications through one of our Degree Apprenticeships such as a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Applied Materials Science. 

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

TIRO TRAINING LTD

John Proctor

john.proctor@tiro.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000340178.

Apply now

Closes in 22 days (Friday 26 September 2025)

Sign in with your GOV.UK One Login to apply.

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.