Polymer Processing Technician Apprentice

G B SILICONE TECHNOLOGY LTD

BOLTON (BL6 4QR)

Closes in 22 days (Monday 25 May 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 1 May 2026

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Summary

This is a great opportunity to start a career in polymer manufacturing within a specialist silicone environment. As a Polymer Processing & Quality Control Technician Apprentice, you’ll learn to operate equipment, carry out testing, and support production while completing a level 3 apprenticeship.

• Wage:

  £16,770 a year

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  £8.60 per hour

• Training course: Polymer processing technician (level 3)
• Hours: 37.5 hours per week. Monday to Thursday, 8:00am – 6:00pm.

  37 hours 30 minutes a week

• Start date:

  Sunday 31 May 2026

• Duration:

  3 years

• 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 to operate production assets and ancillary equipment in line with safety, quality, and operating procedures
• Support the manufacturing process to ensure materials meet required quality standards
• Maintain high housekeeping standards to ensure a safe and efficient working environment
• Monitor material usage and compliance with quality and consumption standards
• Carry out in‑process testing of production batches
• Analyse, test, and produce samples to meet customer and industry specifications
• Assist with research and development of new materials and additives
• Maintain documentation in line with regulatory and quality requirements
• Support routine batch testing and assist Quality Control Technicians with troubleshooting
• Test manufactured materials against industry standards
• Carry out additional duties as required to support production and quality activities

Where you'll work

LYNSTOCK WAY
LOSTOCK
BOLTON
BL6 4QR

Training

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

Training provider

THE S&A TRANSFORM GROUP LIMITED

Training course

Polymer processing technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Review instructions or information. For example, work instructions, sampling requirements, drawings dimensioning, labelling, formulations, machine settings.
• Plan task and identify and organise resources with consideration for safety, environmental impact, security, quality and cost.
• Identify and document hazards and risks in the workplace.
• Apply health, safety, and environmental procedures in compliance with regulations and standards. For example, daily machine checks, wearing personal protective equipment.
• Apply sustainability principles for example, in choice of materials, minimising waste.
• Segregate resources for reuse, recycling, and handling.
• Select, check, and prepare materials for polymer processing for example, weighing, control and blending, and conditioning.
• Select, configure (for example, replace or change inserts) and check mould tools, formers, dies or other process equipment.
• Check installation and function of processing equipment for the process.
• Connect service connections such as water, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic.
• Check hand tools, equipment and machinery including calibration record where applicable.
• Set or check machine settings using instructions such as temperature, pressure, speed or time, distance.
• Adjust machine setting for the speeds, positions, pressures and safety of the mould tool, former or die movement to meet product specification.
• Start up manufacturing processes.
• Monitor process feedback and adjust process parameters.
• Shut down manufacturing processes.
• Devise machine settings such as temperature, pressure, speed or time, distance for new or modified equipment, tooling or material.
• Test and evaluate machine settings for new or modified equipment, tooling or material.
• Select and apply optimal machine settings for new or modified equipment, tooling or material (for example, capability study).
• Interpret data for example, process data, quality control and test procedure data. Use data to inform action.
• Identify process faults and resolve.
• Apply post processing techniques for example, assembly, printing, decorating, cooling operations, packing, and labelling.
• Follow quality assurance processes during manufacture.
• Perform quality control checks. For example, conduct parameter checks (size, colour, weight), and take samples.
• Identify quality issues and resolve for example, defects, maintenance requirements.
• Escalate issues outside limits of responsibility.
• Apply preventative maintenance practices. For example, checking guarding, lubrication, cleaning of tooling, safety checks, and inspection for wear and tear.
• Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement. For example, improving the effectiveness of existing production, improving the energy consumption or waste profile of processes and procedures to improve the sustainability or carbon footprint of a product, process or task.
• Apply team working principles.
• Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
• Record or enter information - paper based or electronic. For example, process and production records, traceability records, and quality assurance records.
• Present information.
• Communicate in written form in the workplace for example, handover notes or emails, non-conformances, design change requests, technical reports.
• Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
• Plan how to meet personal development needs. Carry out and record planned and unplanned continued professional development (CPD) activities. Evaluate CPD against plans made.
• Review instructions or information. For example, work instructions, sampling requirements, drawings dimensioning, labelling, formulations, machine settings.
• Plan task and identify and organise resources with consideration for safety, environmental impact, security, quality and cost.
• Identify and document hazards and risks in the workplace.
• Apply health, safety, and environmental procedures in compliance with regulations and standards. For example, daily machine checks, wearing personal protective equipment.
• Apply sustainability principles for example, in choice of materials, minimising waste.
• Segregate resources for reuse, recycling, and handling.
• Select, check, and prepare materials for polymer processing for example, weighing, control and blending, and conditioning.
• Select, configure (for example, replace or change inserts) and check mould tools, formers, dies or other process equipment.
• Check installation and function of processing equipment for the process.
• Connect service connections such as water, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic.
• Check hand tools, equipment and machinery including calibration record where applicable.
• Set or check machine settings using instructions such as temperature, pressure, speed or time, distance.
• Adjust machine setting for the speeds, positions, pressures and safety of the mould tool, former or die movement to meet product specification.
• Start up manufacturing processes.
• Monitor process feedback and adjust process parameters.
• Shut down manufacturing processes.
• Devise machine settings such as temperature, pressure, speed or time, distance for new or modified equipment, tooling or material.
• Test and evaluate machine settings for new or modified equipment, tooling or material.
• Select and apply optimal machine settings for new or modified equipment, tooling or material (for example, capability study).
• Interpret data for example, process data, quality control and test procedure data. Use data to inform action.
• Identify process faults and resolve.
• Apply post processing techniques for example, assembly, printing, decorating, cooling operations, packing, and labelling.
• Follow quality assurance processes during manufacture.
• Perform quality control checks. For example, conduct parameter checks (size, colour, weight), and take samples.
• Identify quality issues and resolve for example, defects, maintenance requirements.
• Escalate issues outside limits of responsibility.
• Apply preventative maintenance practices. For example, checking guarding, lubrication, cleaning of tooling, safety checks, and inspection for wear and tear.
• Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement. For example, improving the effectiveness of existing production, improving the energy consumption or waste profile of processes and procedures to improve the sustainability or carbon footprint of a product, process or task.
• Apply team working principles.
• Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
• Record or enter information - paper based or electronic. For example, process and production records, traceability records, and quality assurance records.
• Present information.
• Communicate in written form in the workplace for example, handover notes or emails, non-conformances, design change requests, technical reports.
• Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
• Plan how to meet personal development needs. Carry out and record planned and unplanned continued professional development (CPD) activities. Evaluate CPD against plans made.

Training schedule

• A nationally recognised Level 3 Polymer Processing Technician qualification
• Day‑release apprenticeship training (online and on‑site)
• On‑the‑job practical training within Silteq’s production and QC functions
• Ongoing mentoring, progress reviews, and structured support throughout the programme

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English Language (grade 5)
• Maths (grade 5)

Desirable qualifications

A Level in:

Science (grade Pass)

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

Skills

• Organisation skills
• Problem solving skills

Other requirements

Desired Skills & Personal Qualities

• Strong interest in polymer processing, manufacturing, or quality control
• Analytical and problem‑solving approach
• Good organisational skills and attention to detail
• Comfortable working with computers and basic software (Word, Outlook, Excel)
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team
• Motivated, enthusiastic, and committed to learning
• Awareness of health and safety in a technical environment

About this employer

Silteq is a specialist silicone manufacturing business operating within a highly regulated and technical industry. The company is committed to developing future talent through structured apprenticeships, offering hands‑on experience, expert training, and long‑term career opportunities within polymer processing and quality control.

After this apprenticeship

On successful completion of the apprenticeship, there is strong potential for permanent employment within Silteq, including salary progression. The successful apprentice will be supported to progress into a Quality Practitioner (QP)–type role within the business and, subject to performance, will have the opportunity to advance onto the Level 4 Quality Practitioner apprenticeship, alongside continued technical training and professional development.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE S&A TRANSFORM GROUP LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000027868.

Apply now

Closes in 22 days (Monday 25 May 2026 at 11:59pm)