Laboratory Technician Apprentice

Summary

The successful apprentice will join the technical team at Greatham Site. The overall purpose of the Laboratory Technician is to provide site teams with accurate and timely analytical data in accordance with quality and environmental management systems, and support in producing safe, quality tonnes.

Wage

£14,918.80 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

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Training course

Laboratory technician (level 3)

Hours

On site, apprentices will work a 38-hour week, Monday to Friday, from 08:00 to 16:00. Unpaid 30-minute lunch break.

38 hours a week

Start date

Monday 8 September 2025

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

Work closely with mentors to learn laboratory techniques and protocols.
Verify all samples are representative prior to analysing and ensure all nonconformance is properly reported to the site teams.
Conduct laboratory analyses to ensure compliance with process, environmental and final product test schedules.
Interpret analytical results, investigating nonconformance whilst liaising with process teams to minimise impact to in-process and final packed pigment quality.
Carry out appropriate sampling in accordance with routine test schedules or to mitigate the impact of non-conforming product/material.
Maintain laboratory equipment, including inspection, calibration, troubleshooting and service.
Accurately record the outcomes of analyses to ensure accurate reporting and document management.
Maintain accurate filing systems and adhere to company procedures.
Manage stocks of chemicals and consumables.
Live and demonstrate behaviours that drive a positive values-based culture.

Where you'll work

Greatham Works
Tees Road
Hartlepool
TS25 2DD

Training

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

College or training organisation

HARTLEPOOL COLLEGE OF FURTHER EDUCATION

Your 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

Your training plan

The Apprentice will follow the Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship Standard, which will combine practical, technical and behavioural training with theoretical knowledge of relevant science and technology over a period of 2 years.
The role is based at the Greatham site 4 days per week, with the Apprentice attending Hartlepool College of Further Education 1 day per week.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4 or above)
Maths (grade 4 or above)
Other (grade 4 or above)
Other (grade 4 or above)
Science (grade 4 or above)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Problem solving skills
Administrative skills
Number skills
Analytical skills
Logical
Team working
Creative
Initiative
Non judgemental
Patience

Other requirements

Minimum of 5 GCSEs (or equivalent qualifications) at grade 4/C or above (or with anticipated grades of 4/C or above) including Maths, English and Science

About this company

Venator is a leading global chemical company dedicated to the development and manufacture of titanium dioxide pigments and performance additives. We serve customers in more than 110 countries. Our broad and versatile portfolio of leading pigments and additives includes many well-known brand names and industry leading products. Venator’s products are used as intelligent ingredients in thousands of everyday items including coatings, plastics, cosmetics, paper, pharmaceuticals, fibres, films, inks, catalysts, concrete, building materials and in water purification. Every day, around the world, you’ll find our pigments and additives hard at work in a range of products including a small selection below: Paint and coating formulations – delivering colour, gloss and better overall coverage Clothes – boosting the strength and durability of man-made fibres Cars – reducing nitrogen oxides from engine exhausts Mobile devices – improving the performance of tiny ceramic components Cosmetics and skin care products – adding opacity, colour, radiance, staying power and UV protection Plastics – providing colour, heat-resistance and weather proofing attributes. Inks – creating a consistent, high quality finish.

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

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

The role is part of our talent planning for the future and, subject to satisfactory completion of the Apprenticeship, candidates will be considered for any available permanent positions.

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