Measurement Technician Apprentice

National Physical Laboratory

Huddersfield, Yorkshire (HD1 3BD)

Closes in 23 days (Sunday 28 June 2026)

Posted on 4 June 2026

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Summary

As an apprentice, you will support our Scientists with a range of measurement tasks, laboratory duties and scientific research and will undertake a work-based training programme including off the job training and development.

 

• Wage:

  £22,200 a year

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  A salary increase each September throughout your apprenticeship.

• Training course: Metrology technician (level 3)
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00am - 5.30pm.

  36 hours a week

• Start date:

  Monday 7 September 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

Your role responsibilities will include:

• Attending training sessions and block learning weeks to expand your technical skillset
• Working on projects within the Manufacturing Metrology Group.
• Contributing to team meetings, brainstorming sessions, and project discussions
• Involving in NPL Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Outreach activities
• Attending block learning weeks in Teddington, South West London

Where you'll work

National Physical Laboratory
3M Buckley Innovation Centre
Firth Street
Huddersfield, Yorkshire
HD1 3BD

Training

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

Training provider

NPL MANAGEMENT LIMITED

Training course

Metrology technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Identify measurement requirements and make informed decisions about the measurement method, process and timescales required.
• Identify and select tools, equipment, instrumentation and software programs to meet measurement requirements.
• Plan and prepare for measurement tasks following specified procedures and methodologies appropriate to the organisation.
• Access and interpret information and documentation to support the measurement process, for example data, manuals, specifications, catalogues, calibration certificates.
• Prepare the work environment.
• Select and perform tests and checks on measurement tools, equipment, instrumentation, materials, process or software programs, determine suitability for use and metrological confirmation.
• Take appropriate action when non-conforming tools, equipment, instrumentation, materials, process or software programs have been identified, for example reporting any non-conformance via the appropriate channels.
• Perform measurement tasks to ensure verifiable, traceable and reproducible results, using measurement tools, equipment, instrumentation, materials and software programs, following specified procedures and methodologies appropriate to the organisation.
• Maintain the work area following specified procedures and methodologies appropriate to the organisation.
• Follow organisational policies and procedures relating to the preparation, storage, control, handling and disposal of resources, for example standards, samples, materials, tools, equipment, instrumentation and software.
• Retrieve, analyse, interpret, validate, format, record and store measurement results and data in line with organisational specifications and data management regulations and procedures.
• Produce, manage and store records, reports and other measurement documentation in line with data management regulations and organisational procedures.
• Solve problems, take an analytical approach, corrective and preventative action within level of own authority, following organisational policies and procedures.
• Contribute to continuous improvement activities individually or as part of a team, recognising the relevance of efficiency and the need for change to processes and procedures to meet commercial and customer requirements.
• Communicate relevant, specific and accurate information through various channels to meet customer requirements and the needs of the audience.
• Work with others and maintain effective professional relationships by working flexibly and collaboratively.
• Plan and manage own time effectively and prioritise resources and own workload to meet deadlines and customer requirements.
• Use digital tools, software and techniques for work, collaboration or continuous professional development.
• Comply with statutory regulations, national and international standards relevant to the organisation, industry and organisational procedures and requirements relating to codes of conduct when carrying out measurement tasks.
• Comply with health and safety legislation, regulations, industry standards and organisational policies and procedures for safe working practices, raising any concerns via the relevant channels.
• Contribute to risk assessments following organisational policies and procedures.
• Identify measurement requirements and make informed decisions about the measurement method, process and timescales required.
• Identify and select tools, equipment, instrumentation and software programs to meet measurement requirements.
• Plan and prepare for measurement tasks following specified procedures and methodologies appropriate to the organisation.
• Access and interpret information and documentation to support the measurement process, for example data, manuals, specifications, catalogues, calibration certificates.
• Prepare the work environment.
• Select and perform tests and checks on measurement tools, equipment, instrumentation, materials, process or software programs, determine suitability for use and metrological confirmation.
• Take appropriate action when non-conforming tools, equipment, instrumentation, materials, process or software programs have been identified, for example reporting any non-conformance via the appropriate channels.
• Perform measurement tasks to ensure verifiable, traceable and reproducible results, using measurement tools, equipment, instrumentation, materials and software programs, following specified procedures and methodologies appropriate to the organisation.
• Maintain the work area following specified procedures and methodologies appropriate to the organisation.
• Follow organisational policies and procedures relating to the preparation, storage, control, handling and disposal of resources, for example standards, samples, materials, tools, equipment, instrumentation and software.
• Retrieve, analyse, interpret, validate, format, record and store measurement results and data in line with organisational specifications and data management regulations and procedures.
• Produce, manage and store records, reports and other measurement documentation in line with data management regulations and organisational procedures.
• Solve problems, take an analytical approach, corrective and preventative action within level of own authority, following organisational policies and procedures.
• Contribute to continuous improvement activities individually or as part of a team, recognising the relevance of efficiency and the need for change to processes and procedures to meet commercial and customer requirements.
• Communicate relevant, specific and accurate information through various channels to meet customer requirements and the needs of the audience.
• Work with others and maintain effective professional relationships by working flexibly and collaboratively.
• Plan and manage own time effectively and prioritise resources and own workload to meet deadlines and customer requirements.
• Use digital tools, software and techniques for work, collaboration or continuous professional development.
• Comply with statutory regulations, national and international standards relevant to the organisation, industry and organisational procedures and requirements relating to codes of conduct when carrying out measurement tasks.
• Comply with health and safety legislation, regulations, industry standards and organisational policies and procedures for safe working practices, raising any concerns via the relevant channels.
• Contribute to risk assessments following organisational policies and procedures.

Training schedule

• A wide mix of training is provided for the duration of the apprenticeship, combining the daily tasks in the science groups where the apprentice is based, formal off-the-job training and the opportunity to practise new skills in a real work environment. 30 days per year of training at NPL will form the core of the off-the-job training
• It is organised into 6 compulsory blocks per year, each of five days duration in Teddington, costs of which, including travel, will be met by NPL

More training information

• Further off-the-job training will then be built into your workplace activities
• This could include online learning, or tasks set by NPL tutors for completion in the workplace
• Our aim is to help you be self-assured in the workplace from day one; through additional training you will learn how to communicate effectively, how to manage your time, and how to work as part of a team

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 4 and above)
• Maths (grade 4 and above)
• Science (grade 4 and above)

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
• Customer care skills
• Problem solving skills
• Number skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Initiative

Other requirements

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that nationality, residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. Government funding rules for apprenticeships also have residency requirements and you will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process.

About this employer

As the UK's National Measurement Institute, NPL develops and maintains the national primary measurement standards. From new antibiotics to tackle resistance and more effective cancer treatments to unhackable quantum communications and superfast 5G, technological advances must be built on a foundation of reliable measurement to succeed.

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

Company benefits

Flexible working and social activities are embedded in our culture to create a positive work-life balance, along with a broad range of rewards, benefits and recognition. 

Disability Confident

A fair proportion of interviews for this apprenticeship will be offered to applicants with a disability or long-term health condition. This includes non-visible disabilities and conditions.

You can choose to be considered for an interview under the Disability Confident scheme. You’ll need to meet the essential requirements to be considered for an interview.

After this apprenticeship

• Personal and professional growth opportunities, continuous learning and development

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

NPL MANAGEMENT LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000035338.

Apply now

Closes in 23 days (Sunday 28 June 2026)

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