Apprentice Laboratory Technician – Waste and Resources

WATER RESEARCH CENTRE LIMITED

Swindon (SN5 8YF)

Closes in 14 days (Friday 3 July 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 18 June 2026

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Summary

You’ll be joining our Waste & Resources lab team, learning the ropes and getting hands-on with real-world environmental science. No experience? No worries, we’ll train you up!

Wage

£25,877.80 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Laboratory technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Thursday 9.00am - 5.00pm and Friday 9.00am - 4.30pm.

37 hours a week

Start date

Thursday 1 October 2026

Duration

2 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

Here’s what your day-to-day might look like:

  • Logging samples into our database
  • Prepping samples (think mixing, weighing, drying, sorting - all with safety gear and guidance)
  • Running basic tests (like moisture checks and ignition loss)
  • Recording results in spreadsheets
  • Helping keep the lab clean and organised
  • Assisting with equipment checks and calibrations

Where you'll work

Frankland Road
Blagrove
Swindon
SN5 8YF

Training

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

Training provider

NEW COLLEGE SWINDON

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

  • Off the job will be provided by New College Swindon
  • On the job provided by WRC

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4 or equivalent)
  • Mathematics (grade 4 or equivalent)

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

Skills

  • Attention to detail
  • Team working
  • Practical, hands-on approach
  • flexibility
  • Safety-savvy

Other requirements

MUST BE 18 OR ABOVE.

Comfortable handling bulky samples (some lifting involved).

Live locally and be able to get to our Swindon office.

Happy to work different shift patterns.

About this employer

Providers of consultancy, technical services, accreditation schemes, research, innovation and training to customers in the water, waste and environment sectors around the globe.

https://www.wrcgroup.com/about/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

25 Days PLUS Bank Holidays.

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

To Be Arranged.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

NEW COLLEGE SWINDON

Erin Foye

erin.foye@newcollege.ac.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000037961.

Apply now

Closes in 14 days (Friday 3 July 2026 at 11:59pm)