Quality Control Laboratory Apprentice

BELZONA POLYMERICS LIMITED

North Yorkshire (HG1 4DS)

Closes on Friday 31 July 2026

Posted on 11 June 2026

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Summary

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

Wage

£20,000 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  • Wage Range - £20,000 to £22,000.
  • Annual salary review every January

Training course
Laboratory technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday 08.45 am to 5.15 pm, but can be flexible around start and finish times. 1-hour unpaid lunch break to be taken between 12.45 pm – 1.45 pm.

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 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

Reporting to the Quality Manager, this role involves working in the Quality Control Laboratory to ensure the quality of raw materials, finished products, cartons, tins and accessories are of acceptable standard in accordance with specifications.

Perform regular assessments within Operations areas to verify Quality and Healt & Safety standards are being followed, ensuring issues and potential non-conformances identified are formally captured to be investigated.

Key responsibilities - 

The successful individual will provide essential support and assistance to the team in the following key areas:

  • Ensure full records are maintained of all raw materials and finished products analysis
  • Inspect and re-test both raw material and finished products via retained sample storage testing
  • Communicate with Operations, Purchasing and R&D departments regarding non-conformances

Where you'll work

Belzona Polymerics Ltd
Claro Road
Harrogate
North Yorkshire
HG1 4DS

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

The Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3) with Cogent Skills is designed to equip learners with the practical skills, scientific knowledge, and safety awareness required to support high-quality laboratory operations across research, quality control, and product development environments. The programme develops technicians capable of delivering reliable experimental results, maintaining laboratory equipment, and contributing to continuous improvement in scientific processes.

The Level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship is delivered through a blended model combining online learning, workplace assessment, and practical workshops.

Delivery Model - 

  • 1 day per week online knowledge delivery
  • Workplace-based assessment of laboratory competence
  • 3-day practical workshop at the National STEM Centre, York
  • 3-day exam residential at Cogent Skills Head Office, Warrington (if qualification chosen)
  • Ongoing review and support throughout the programme

More training information

Apprentices apply learning directly in their operational role, building scientific competence while contributing to laboratory productivity. Regular progress reviews ensure development aligns with employer requirements and pathway specialism.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English Language (grade 4)
  • Maths (grade 4)
  • Science (grade 4)

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

  • Biology (grade 4)
  • Chemistry (grade 4)

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
  • Health and Safety Awareness
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office
  • Ability to Prioritise Tasks

About this employer

Manufacturer of polymeric coating solutions.

http://www.belzona.com (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Pension - Employer - 5%, Employee - 5%. Private Medical insurance. Holidays - 23 days plus Bank Holidays. Holiday Buyback 3 days per annum may be carried over or sold back. Eyecare. Employee assistance. Onsite parking.

After this apprenticeship

Career advancement within the QC Dept, i.e. to QC Technician, QC Supervisor. Opportunity to move into another role within the business once the apprenticeship is finished, if a vacancy occurs.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

COGENT SSC LIMITED

apprenticeships@cogentskills.com

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000036659.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 31 July 2026