Apprentice Workshop Technician

LABCARE SERVICES LTD

BRAINTREE (CM7 3QT)

Closes on Friday 26 June 2026

Posted on 23 April 2026

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Summary

We are currently seeking an Apprentice Workshop Technician to join our team. In this role with us, you will be providing a service to many of the top research medical industries throughout the UK. Receiving in-house one-to-one training to achieve a high level of skill in repairing, servicing and calibrating equipment to a high standard throughout.

Wage

£14,560 to £23,132.20, depending on your age

National Minimum Wage

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  • Depending on individual performance a discretionary bonus payment is paid annually to employees.

Training course
Engineering manufacturing technician (level 4)
Hours
Monday to Thursday 7:30am - 4:00pm. Fridays 7:30am - 12:30pm. With a one hour lunch break each day.

35 hours a week

Start date

Monday 7 September 2026

Duration

3 years 6 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

Role Responsibilities will include:

  • Repair of faulty modules and units using soldering de-soldering equipment.
  • Reading engineering drawings.
  • Using workshop equipment for fabrication, temperature measurements and calibrations.
  • Understanding electrical principles.
  • Fault find to component level.
  • Administration - Using PC and telephone to communicate with suppliers, customers, and company staff.
  • Purchasing of components required for the day-to-day running of the company.
  • Assisting field and workshop engineers with sourcing replacement components.
  • Arranging collection and returns of customers' equipment.
  • Stores - Packaging goods into boxes and unpacking goods shipped to Labcare.
  • Inspection of goods on receipt and dispatch. Making sure all paperwork is supplied for dispatch.
  • The occasional visit to other sites to assist field engineers with their workloads.
  • Planning and implementing process improvement activities. 
  • Reviewing existing engineering or production processes (e.g. machining, assembly, maintenance workflows, etc).
  • Financial planning or costing activities. 
  • Assisting in estimating costs for engineering projects, including materials, labour, and material selection. 
  • KPIs - Collecting and analysing operational data from machines, production lines or maintenance systems. 
  • Presenting KPI data through charts, dashboards or reports. 
  • Quality improvement processes. 
  • Participating in quality control activities such as inspections, testing and verification of components or systems. 
  • Understanding engineering drawings, tolerances, and specifications. 

Where you'll work

1A CHAPEL HILL
BRAINTREE
CM7 3QT

Training

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

Training provider

COLCHESTER INSTITUTE

Training course

Engineering manufacturing technician (level 4)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents
  • Read and extract relevant engineering and manufacturing related data and information (such as workplans or project plans, schedules,  drawings, specifications, production data, quality reports, costing data, statistical information) drawing accurate conclusions and making informed decisions.
  • Use project management tools, such as Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT), stakeholder matrices, risk mapping, radar chart and summary risk profiles.
  • Use problem solving tools such as Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Process Failure Modes Effects Analysis (PFMEA), Fishbone, Practical Problem Solving (PPS) and Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP).
  • Analyse and interpret data and information in order to generate manufacturing engineering documentation such as Parts Per Million (PPM) quality adherence, cost analysis and test data.
  • Communicate using the appropriate method for the audience such as, formal and informal presentations, written reports, verbal, electronic, social media and incorporating relevant and appropriate data or metrics.
  • Use the approved process and quality compliance procedure to create or amend engineering or manufacturing documentation.
  • Use lean tools and techniques, such as Six Sigma, 8 Wastes, Workplace organisation such as 5S's (sort, set in order, shine, standardise and sustain), Kaizen and Poka-Yoke (Error proofing).
  • Apply documentation control processes and procedures such as format, location, access, authorisation.
  • Use financial planning, recording and review processes and documentation such as departmental budgets, estimating, cost control, cost forecasting, and investment appraisal.
  • Use computer based software systems or packages such as Computer Aided Design (CAD), Data Analytics and Databases.
  • Read and extract relevant engineering and manufacturing related data and information (such as workplans or project plans, schedules,  drawings, specifications, production data, quality reports, costing data, statistical information) drawing accurate conclusions and making informed decisions.
  • Use project management tools, such as Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT), stakeholder matrices, risk mapping, radar chart and summary risk profiles.
  • Use problem solving tools such as Root Cause Analysis (RCA) Process Failure Modes Effects Analysis (PFMEA), Fishbone, Practical Problem Solving (PPS) and Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP).
  • Analyse and interpret data and information in order to generate manufacturing engineering documentation such as Parts Per Million (PPM) quality adherence, cost analysis and test data.
  • Communicate using the appropriate method for the audience such as, formal and informal presentations, written reports, verbal, electronic, social media and incorporating relevant and appropriate data or metrics.
  • Use the approved process and quality compliance procedure to create or amend engineering or manufacturing documentation.
  • Use lean tools and techniques, such as Six Sigma, 8 Wastes, Workplace organisation such as 5S's (sort, set in order, shine, standardise and sustain), Kaizen and Poka-Yoke (Error proofing).
  • Apply documentation control processes and procedures such as format, location, access, authorisation.
  • Use financial planning, recording and review processes and documentation such as departmental budgets, estimating, cost control, cost forecasting, and investment appraisal.
  • Use computer based software systems or packages such as Computer Aided Design (CAD), Data Analytics and Databases.

Training schedule

  • The apprentice will be working towards the Level 4 Engineering Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship Standard (Mechanical Pathway).
  • Qualifications include: Level 4 HNC in Engineering or Manufacturing.
  • College attendance will be at the Colchester Institute - Colchester Campus one day per week during term time. 

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

maths and English (grade A*-C/9-4 or equivalent)

A Level in:

2 A-Levels in maths and Science (grade A*-C/9-4)

Other in:

Engineering related L3 Diploma (T-level etc) (grade Pass)

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

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • IT skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Customer care skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Presentation skills
  • Administrative skills
  • Number skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Creative
  • Initiative
  • Non judgemental
  • Patience
  • Physical fitness

Other requirements

The position is mainly workshop-based, but there may be field-work as needs must, and some long periods of computer use.

About this employer

Labcare Service Ltd is a service company supplying the UK medical research industry with the repair of faulty laboratory equipment, equipment service and a UKAS calibration service. Our engineers are recognised throughout the industry for there skills in getting our customers back up and running in quick time. Being in the East means we have quick access to a large customer base such as Cambridge, London, Oxford etc.

http://www.labcareservice.co.uk (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • Annual Holiday of 24 days a year + bank holidays. After 5 years 1 extra day per year up to a max of 28 days.
  • Following successful probation period of 3 months you will be eligible to join the company pension scheme.

After this apprenticeship

Technician to Engineer to Senior Engineer as appropriate to experience and training passes.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

COLCHESTER INSTITUTE

Colchester Institute - Apprenticeships Team

ci.apprenticeships@colchester.ac.uk

01206712043

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000026987.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 26 June 2026

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