Materials Technician Apprentice (Level 3) - White Rose Laboratory Services Ltd

WHITE ROSE LABORATORY SERVICES LTD

CASTLEFORD (WF10 5LB)

Closes in 14 days (Monday 6 October 2025)

Posted on 19 September 2025

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Summary

We are pleased to offer an opportunity for a Materials Testing Apprentice to join our team, supporting the day-to-day laboratory testing of construction materials including concrete, aggregates, and soils.

• Wage:

  £20,800 a year

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Starting salary of £20,800 - £25,396 per year (depending on age)

• Training course: Laboratory technician (level 3)
• Hours: Monday - Friday, 08:30 - 17:30

  40 hours a week

• Start date:

  Monday 13 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

• Learn and perform tests on construction materials including concrete, aggregates, and soils in accordance with standard procedures
• Calculate and record test results accurately and submit them for review and reporting
• Shadow experienced technicians to gain hands-on experience and build practical skills
• Carry out laboratory testing to assess compliance with relevant British, European, and project-specific specifications
• Maintain high standards of work in line with UKAS accreditation requirements
• Follow the laboratory’s quality management system and develop an understanding of materials reporting processes
• Produce clear and accurate factual reports to support project teams and managers
• Communicate proactively with colleagues to ensure smooth workflow and effective teamwork
• Comply with all laboratory and site health and safety procedures.
• Assist with the handling and lifting of material samples (up to 20kg) safely and efficiently
• Work as part of a supportive, close-knit team and engage in on-the-job learning to achieve relevant qualifications

Where you'll work

WHITWOOD ANNEXE
LUMLEY STREET
CASTLEFORD
WF10 5LB

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

Laboratory Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship Standard:

• 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 White Rose Laboratories Ltd 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
• Logical
• Team working
• Initiative

Other requirements

Please note: you must be 18 years or older to apply, due to insurance requirements and the use of chemicals in the laboratory.

About this employer

White Rose Laboratory Services Ltd is a small independent testing laboratory formed in 2014. UKAS-accredited, they offer high-quality testing services to clients as well as establishing good relationships with many subcontract laboratories, to provide a comprehensive construction testing and sampling service. In this role, you’ll be a key player in in ensuring the quality of soils, aggregates, and concrete meet the clients’ contractual obligations. These materials must be tested so that the engineers can have confidence that the finished project will work as the project designers intended. With that in mind White Rose Laboratory Services are looking for anyone who has a keen interest in science and isn’t afraid to get stuck in to guarantee the quality of materials being used on sites at their materials testing laboratory, located on the A655 (Lumley Street) in the Hightown area of Castleford.

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

Company benefits

Overtime available. Company pension scheme. Regular training and CPD opportunities.

After this apprenticeship

When you join White Rose Laboratories Ltd, 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 VAC1000343000.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Monday 6 October 2025)

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