Laboratory Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship - Microcapture
Cogent Ssc Limited
Grantham (NG31 7XT)
Closes in 15 days (Wednesday 1 April 2026)
Posted on 17 March 2026
Contents
Summary
We are looking for an energetic Laboratory Technician Apprentice who has a keen interest in science, formulations, proteins and complex biomolecules, to join our specialist fragrance manufacturing business based in Grantham. There will be a strong focus on lab work, QC, developing new products and some manufacturing support.
- Wage
-
£13,741 to £22,222.20, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
- Training course
- Laboratory technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm with 30 minute lunch break and 15 minutes tea break.
35 hours a week
- Start date
-
Friday 1 May 2026
- Duration
-
2 years 3 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
We are looking for a Laboratory Technician Apprentice to join our specialist fragrance business based in Grantham. Positive and enthusiastic with a can-do, problem-solving attitude, you will have a strong focus on order and quality and have a flexible approach to learning.
The key focus of the role is to operate in our purpose-built laboratory and production facility, producing specialist industrial fragrances and therapeutic cosmetic products to supply some of the world’s leading brands. Working as part of a small, supportive team, the role will report directly to the Laboratory and Production Supervisor.
The ideal candidate would have a background or a keen interest in industry/manufacturing/or science. The aim is to work with biomolecules for development projects, routine testing, production QC and help with production runs in busy periods. The biomolecules are used to create microcapsules used for a wide range of applications. There will be a strong focus on delivering against KPI’s aligned to a developed pipeline of projects and production schedules. Knowledge or experience of continuous improvement of processes would also be beneficial, but not essential.
This is a varied role. Day-to-day, you will be involved in all aspects of producing a small range of fragrance products, including quality control within the laboratory, whilst simultaneously supporting the business growth strategy by working in busy production periods. Comfortable with a degree of change and uncertainty, you’ll be resilient, pragmatic and able to work collaboratively with the rest of the team and our various partners.
In return, we offer a friendly, dynamic working environment with free parking and easy access from the A1 and the town centre. Other benefits include 28 days paid holiday (including statutory holidays), performance-related profit share, and a workplace pension.
Job Responsibilities
- Creating laboratory formulations and batches, developing microcapsule and cosmetic formulations, carrying out quality control, helping production runs in the batch manufacturing facility in accordance with precise procedures and quality parameters to ensure orders are manufactured right the first time
- Working to production schedules to ensure lab sample orders are completed on time
- Keeping up to date and accurate records
- Carrying out LEAN manufacturing continuous improvements
- Routine laboratory testing
- Handling raw materials, packing off finished goods and labelling ready for QA approval will be a small part of the role.
We are an equal opportunity employer and consider all qualified applicants equally without regard to any protected characteristic.
- Inclusive of minority and disadvantaged groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly workplace
- Age-inclusive
Where you'll work
Unit 10
Ellesmere Business Park
Swingbridge Road
Grantham
NG31 7XT
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
COGENT SSC LIMITED
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
- Qualification to be delivered: L3 BTEC in Applied Science
- Apprenticeship Standard: L3 Laboratory Technician
- Training Provider: Cogent Skills
- Delivery model: Online at MicroCapture Ltd. Premises. Some block release
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE 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
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
About this employer
As the specialists in skills for science and technology, our purpose is to make sure your business; your people and our industry are future ready. We are a not-for-profit charitable organisation with a family of commercially focused companies committed to supporting the skills, needs and ambitions across the UK science and technology sector.
https://cogentskills.com/vacancies/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- Holiday Allowance - 28 days per year, including public holidays
- Onsite parking
- Casual dress code
After this apprenticeship
MicroCapture is investing in the apprenticeship program with the view to training candidates to reach a suitable level for production assistants to support the growth of the company.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
Cogent Ssc Limited
Caroline Lees
caroline.lees@cogentskills.com
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000021449.
Apply now
Closes in 15 days (Wednesday 1 April 2026)
After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.