Mineral Products Management Apprenticeship
Ibstock Plc
Newcastle-Under-Lyme (ST5 7ES)
Closes on Wednesday 28 January 2026
Posted on 19 December 2025
Contents
Summary
Ibstock PLC’s 4-year Manufacturing Management Apprenticeship combines hands-on work with a Level 5 Higher Apprenticeship at the University of Derby. Studying modules like Clay Evaluation, you'll "earn while you learn," gaining qualifications to transition into key roles like Assistant Technical Manager upon completion of the program.
- Wage
-
£20,888 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Salary increases awarded based on performance.
- Training course
- Mineral products technician (level 5)
- Hours
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39 hours per week Monday to Friday, general office hours apply (e.g. 9am-5pm) with time to complete off-the-job training as required.
39 hours a week
- Start date
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Sunday 6 September 2026
- Duration
-
2 years 2 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
A vital member of our operational team, you’ll ensure compliance with our Quality, Energy, and Environmental Management Systems.
Conduct sampling, testing, and analysis of raw materials and finished products, playing a key role in maintaining our high standards.
Collaborate on developing Safe Standard Operating Procedures and Risk Assessments.
Help monitor and report on key performance data throughout the manufacturing process.
Investigate and analyse customer feedback to drive continuous improvement.
Where you'll work
Chesterton Factory
Audley Road
Newcastle-Under-Lyme
ST5 7ES
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
UNIVERSITY OF DERBY
Training course
Mineral products technician (level 5)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Work competently, safely and manage risks in accordance with HSE regulations.
- Apply their knowledge of health and safety hazards, major hazards, environmental aspects and risks associated with the operation in order to train others to conduct full risk assessments, license to operate procedures and be able to fully investigate and evaluate health, safety and environmental accidents and incidents, report findings and implement improvements.
- Use their knowledge of emergency response processes and procedures to deal with emergency situations and ensure that in these circumstances the site is evacuated, secured and made safe as swiftly as possible.
- Recommend and support improvements to environmental, health and safety culture, procedures, process and systems across the operation.
- Obtain, evaluate and use information from the teams across the site to take critical operational decisions. This could include information on a range of matters such as the products, the equipment and the staffing levels.
- Utilise communications technology for performing and supporting the business processes including, communications, work co-ordination, task analysis and problem solving.
- Ensure that operational systems are adhered to by all employees in accordance with quality control plans and procedures.
- Use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment in order to meet employers and regulatory health and safety requirements.
- Apply root cause analysis
- Use the principles of predictive and preventative maintenance of all mineral products equipment in order to minimise downtime and costs.
- Develop & write technical reports that meet business requirements including the optimisation and continuous improvement of processes and services
- Maximise the use of the resources, maximise products from raw materials, ensuring sustainability of resources.
- Provide technical knowledge transfer to colleagues and continuous improvements in line with business requirements.
- Optimise processes & products re: cost and performance in line with budget requirements.
- Communicate all relevant information with the operational team, customers and all stakeholders by email, handheld radio, phone and face to face to keep them up to date with site production issues, ensuring information is passed clearly and promptly.
- Plan and implement plans for work activities and projects.
- Monitoring trends, interpreting results and making adjustments in production.
- Use knowledge of the local communities, official bodies and other stakeholders associated with Mineral Products and their interests in the industry to liaise and engage with them to ensure positive working relationships are established, minimising disputes.
- Ensure safe and effective utilisations of mineral extraction equipment and resources by following standard operating procedures and/or site rules.
- Maximise operational and resource efficiency in a mineral extraction environment, in accordance with the quarry/mine plan.
- Plans processes to win and extract mineral in a safe, efficient and environmentally sensitive manner applying blasting, digging or cutting techniques.
- Plan to use, select and utilise face loading machines, dumptrucks, conveyor systems, processing and benefication equipment by planning material flow and matching equipment.
- Use and apply the the quarry/mine plan to assess environmental impact, planning constraints, site restoration and the wider sustainability agenda.
- Achieve and verify product quality meets both European Standards and customer specifications and optimizes the production process to achieve these in a cost effective manner and whilst maintaining end use applications.
- Ensures all test equipment is maintained, used correctly and calibrated, retains appropriate records. Interprets all test results for accuracy, retesting as required, and taking appropriate actions and communications if results fall outside of specifications.
- Conduct the full range of legislative and procedural inspections required in the quarry, processing plant and associated locations, record, document findings and take appropriate action. For inspections conducted by specialist third parties – can interpret, prioritize and action the recommendations.
- Planning work activities and production schedule with customer requirements."
- Sampling and testing of concrete products to the relevant European standards.
- Monitoring trends, interpreting results and making adjustments in concrete mix designs.
- Management of product constituents to include secondary, alternative and recycled materials.
- Demonstration of the selection and appropriate use of reinforcement materials in concrete applications.
- Planning the selection and utilisation of fresh concrete delivery systems by planning material flow and matching equipment.
- Able to apply different concrete batching techniques in the manufacture of concrete products.
- Undertaking of assessment, inspection and development of suitable repair strategies for existing concrete structures.
- Planning work activities and production schedule with customer and trend requirements.
- Managing risks specific to high energy and cost production processes.
- Sampling, testing and reporting of Cement, Lime and Cementitious products to the relevant European standards.
- Sampling, testing and reporting of incoming and intermediary materials supporting the adjustments in the cement manufacturing process.
- Planning the selection and utilisation of milling, grinding and blending equipment by planning process flow and matching equipment
- Demonstrate an understanding of the selection and use of different fuel types in order to maximise thermal efficiencies and minimise environmental impacts.
- Planning the selection and utilisation of Cement, Lime and Cementitious Products delivery systems.
- Planning work activities, production schedules, transport and delivery in line with customer requirements.
- Sampling source materials, bitumens and asphalt products.
- Defining different asphalt production processes and ancillary equipment to maximise production. Inspecting and optimising asphalt production plant and equipment.
- Inspecting and optimising laying and compaction plant and equipment.
- Managing risks to health and safety and the environment associated with the production, transport and laying of asphalt mixtures.
- Application and on going management of assets both in terms of production and laying equipment and in pavements, foundations, drainage, skid resistance, embankments, bridges and street furniture.
- Application of pavement design according to design speciications.
- Identifying pavement failure modes and subsequent remedial options.
- Application of specialist road surface treatments and sustainable recycled aggregates and recycling processes.
- Apply understanding of the nature and formation processes of clay deposits to the manufacture of heavy clay construction products to ensure product quality.
- Maximise operational and resource efficiency by using and understanding the quarry/clay pit plan in and minimising environmental impacts.
- Supervision of methods of extraction, transportation and stockpiling of clay raw materials to industry standards.
- Effective management of raw material processing in relation to the manufacturing operation.
- Recognise the influence of raw material properties in the selection of the appropriate clay forming equipment and drying processes.
- Appropriate selection and use of different surface texturing and colouring processes.
- Planning and control of the appropriate drying and firing cycles for the production process.
- Sampling, testing and reporting of intermediary and final clay products supporting the adjustments in the process.
- Work competently, safely and manage risks in accordance with HSE regulations.
- Apply their knowledge of health and safety hazards, major hazards, environmental aspects and risks associated with the operation in order to train others to conduct full risk assessments, license to operate procedures and be able to fully investigate and evaluate health, safety and environmental accidents and incidents, report findings and implement improvements.
- Use their knowledge of emergency response processes and procedures to deal with emergency situations and ensure that in these circumstances the site is evacuated, secured and made safe as swiftly as possible.
- Recommend and support improvements to environmental, health and safety culture, procedures, process and systems across the operation.
- Obtain, evaluate and use information from the teams across the site to take critical operational decisions. This could include information on a range of matters such as the products, the equipment and the staffing levels.
- Utilise communications technology for performing and supporting the business processes including, communications, work co-ordination, task analysis and problem solving.
- Ensure that operational systems are adhered to by all employees in accordance with quality control plans and procedures.
- Use appropriate Personal Protective Equipment in order to meet employers and regulatory health and safety requirements.
- Apply root cause analysis
- Use the principles of predictive and preventative maintenance of all mineral products equipment in order to minimise downtime and costs.
- Develop & write technical reports that meet business requirements including the optimisation and continuous improvement of processes and services
- Maximise the use of the resources, maximise products from raw materials, ensuring sustainability of resources.
- Provide technical knowledge transfer to colleagues and continuous improvements in line with business requirements.
- Optimise processes & products re: cost and performance in line with budget requirements.
- Communicate all relevant information with the operational team, customers and all stakeholders by email, handheld radio, phone and face to face to keep them up to date with site production issues, ensuring information is passed clearly and promptly.
- Plan and implement plans for work activities and projects.
- Monitoring trends, interpreting results and making adjustments in production.
- Use knowledge of the local communities, official bodies and other stakeholders associated with Mineral Products and their interests in the industry to liaise and engage with them to ensure positive working relationships are established, minimising disputes.
Training schedule
During the first year, all apprentices study the same core modules, which will build on their initial workplace induction and link to typical job-based activities. These modules are:
- Industry Introduction (20 credits)
- Industry and the Environment (20 credits)
- Learning, Thinking and Study Skills in Higher Education (20 credits).
At the end of your first year, you will need to choose (with advice from your employer) one of the following five pathways:
- Mineral extractives
- Asphalt
- Concrete (ready mix or pre-cast)
- Cement
- Clay
Whichever pathway you choose, you will study the following two core modules:
- Business and Operational Management (20 credits)
- Production Facility Engineering (20 credits)
Then you will study three modules from your chosen pathway. The modules for each pathway are listed below.
More training information
Throughout programme delivery, tripartite review meetings will take place at least every 8 to 12 weeks. These tripartite review meetings will take place online, onsite and at the university. These review meetings will be led by an academic tutor from the centre, and in addition to the apprentice, the appointed mentor/workplace facilitator will also participate (along with attendance from any other relevant parties, such as the SHE4 coordinator, for example).
The programme is influenced by the principles of work-based learning. As such a flexible range of teaching and learning methodologies is used relevant to particular groups or practices. For example:
- Face-to-face taught modules combining tutor input with structured opportunities for discussion, reflection and planning for workplace application, offering theoretical underpinning whilst looking for links in the workplace
- Learning opportunities identified and taken directly from the learner’s workplace situation – for example, learner's secondment to their employer’s geology department aligned to the on-programme study of topics related to geology
- Action learning sets and other facilitated group activities
- Individual reflection on learning
- Technology-enhanced learning using online support in the form of the e-portfolio Smart Assessor.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
- 2 further subjects (grade 4 or above)
- English (grade 4 or above)
- Maths (grade 4 or above)
- Science (any discipline) (grade 4 or above)
Desirable qualifications
A Level in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Problem solving skills
- Team working
- Initiative
- Reliable
- An interest in the industry
- A desire to learn
Other requirements
Please consider how you will travel to work each day.
About this employer
At Ibstock, we’ve been shaping Britain’s built environment for over 200 years. With a team of more than 2,300 strong, we’re committed to building smarter, more sustainable homes and workplaces. Our innovative products are designed with a net-zero future in mind, and we’re constantly evolving to meet the challenges of tomorrow. If you’re looking for a company that blends heritage with innovation, opportunity, and career progression, WE ARE that company.
https://www.ibstock.co.uk/early-careers (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
Digicare+ access, 10% contribution pension, access to discount platforms.
After this apprenticeship
Upon successful completion, we would be happy to support you with progression towards a full degree in BSc (Hons) Minerals Management.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
UNIVERSITY OF DERBY
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000006113.
Apply now
Closes on Wednesday 28 January 2026
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.