Lab Tech Apprentice

THE TED WRAGG MULTI ACADEMY TRUST

Exmouth (EX8 3AF)

Closes in 7 days (Thursday 12 November 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 4 November 2026

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Summary

Love science and want to earn while you learn? Join the Science Department at Exmouth College as a Laboratory Technician Apprentice and get paid, hands-on experience in a real working lab. You’ll work alongside friendly, experienced technicians and teachers, build practical skills, and gain a Level 3 qualification while you work.

Wage

£16,640 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Under 19: £8.00 per hour throughout the apprenticeship. 
Aged 19 or over in the first year: £8.00 per hour. 
Aged 19 or over after the first year: the normal minimum wage for the apprentice's age. 
Ages 18 to 20: £10.85 per hour. 
Ages 21 and over: £12.71 per hour. 

Training course
Laboratory technician (level 3)
Hours
Shifts to be confirmed.

40 hours a week

Start date

Friday 13 November 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

What you’ll do at work

Day to day, you will:

  • Prepare equipment, materials and solutions for science lessons and practical demonstrations
  • Set up experiments and check that apparatus is clean, safe and working properly
  • Help organise, maintain and restock laboratory equipment and resources
  • Get labs ready for each lesson by cleaning benches, sinks and equipment
  • Learn how to store, handle and dispose of chemicals and materials safely
  • Carry out basic equipment maintenance and report faults to senior technicians
  • Help care for plants and animals where needed
  • Work closely with science teachers and technicians to bring the curriculum to life
  • Follow health and safety procedures and help keep the lab safe and organised
  • Apply what you learn in your training directly to your work
  • Take on other reasonable duties that support the Science Department

Where you'll work

Gipsy Lane
Exmouth
EX8 3AF

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

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

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or training provider. Off-the-job training will follow the time allocations outlined in the Occupational Standard, so you’ll learn the theory behind the practical work you do.

More training information

Your training course

Laboratory Technician, equal to Level 3 (A level).

What you’ll learn

  • Health and safety in the lab, including COSHH, risk assessments, PPE and emergency procedures
  • Planning and carrying out experiments and tests accurately, using techniques such as weighing, pipetting, filtering, spectroscopy and chromatography
  • Using specialist instruments and equipment competently, including reporting faults and calibration
  • Keeping accurate records, writing up results and contributing to reports
  • Presenting and evaluating data using simple statistics and graphs, and spotting unusual results
  • Problem solving, including finding sources of error and reducing them
  • Using Microsoft Office and Laboratory Information Management Systems
  • Managing stock and using resources efficiently
  • Working to professional standards such as GLP, GMP, GDP, ISO and UKAS
  • Helping to improve how the lab works

Your training plan

Your training plan is tailored to you. Off-the-job training follows the time allocations in the Occupational Standard, and your tutor will support you throughout.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4/C or above)
  • Maths (grade 4/C or above)

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

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Team working

Other requirements

Requirements:

Essential qualifications:

GCSE English (Grade 4/C or above).
GCSE Maths (Grade 4/C or above).
Desired qualifications.

A Level Science (pass), though not essential.

About this employer

The Ted Wragg Multi-Academy Trust is a multi-academy trust in Devon, England, established in 2013. It brings together schools across Exeter, Plymouth, Crediton and East Devon, with a focus on improving education, supporting local communities and helping every child succeed.

After this apprenticeship

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

Further progression may well be available in other areas within our sector, upon successful completion of the apprenticeship.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE S&A TRANSFORM GROUP LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000061376.

Apply now

Closes in 7 days (Thursday 12 November 2026 at 11:59pm)