Apprentice Operations Chemist
FCC RECYCLING (UK) LIMITED
Leeds (LS9 0PJ)
Closes in 21 days (Saturday 20 September 2025 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 29 August 2025
Contents
Summary
Apprentices will learn to test wastes, residues, and control samples to support safe treatment and transfer. They will develop skills in completing consignment documentation and maintaining laboratory records in line with regulations, building both technical expertise and record-keeping discipline for laboratory + environmental science careers.
- Wage
-
£20,124 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Starting Salary: Year 1 £8.60/Hr = £20,124 On completion and passing Year 1. Year 2 £10.50/Hr = £24,570 On completion and passing Year 2 Year 3 £12.50/Hr = £29,250
- Training course
- Technician scientist (level 5)
- Hours
-
5 days a week
Shifts to be confirmed
45 hours a week
- Start date
-
Wednesday 1 October 2025
- Duration
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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
- To work within the Waste Treatment Division (WTD) to inspect and test wastes prior to and on receipt to confirm suitability for acceptance and to identify/confirm appropriate safe handling and processing methods. To undertake laboratory-based waste trials using instrumental and wet chemistry methods; to inspect and compete waste consignment notifications
- To undertake waste analyses using a range of methods
- To identify appropriate safety and process considerations to allow wastes to be safely dealt
- To maintain and undertake appropriate quality control methods to ensure accuracy of waste assessments
- To maintain accurate records
- To inspect, verify and complete consignment note documents
- To maintain waste and other records
- Any other reasonable request
Where you'll work
FCC Environment Knostrop Treatment Works
Knowsthorpe Lane
Leeds
LS9 0PJ
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
Technician scientist (level 5)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Identify potential scientific techniques to meet defined objectives.
- Review and select appropriate scientific techniques to undertake required tasks (consider risk management, safe working practices, equipment availability, quality standards, the environment, and sustainability).
- Source and calibrate specified instrumentation and laboratory equipment.
- Plan and perform laboratory-based investigations and scientific experimentation using scientific techniques, procedures, and methods relevant to the role.
- Systematically obtain information when conducting scientific experiments.
- Record and store data in accordance with regulatory requirements.
- Contribute to the development or improvement of processes and methodologies and support their implementation into the business as part of a wider team.
- Use data analysis tools and software packages to process or produce reliable, accurate data or information.
- Interpret scientific data to inform actions or recommendations and escalate where required.
- Present the results of scientific work to scientific and non-scientific audiences in written and oral form.
- Plan and prioritise own tasks and complete work to schedule whilst maintaining compliance with internal and external requirements.
- Contribute to recommendations, improvements, or scientific solutions to meet the requirements of internal or external customers.
- Identify, develop or contribute to solutions to technical problems.
- Collaborate with stakeholders and identify results requiring further investigation or escalation.
- Keeps up to date with advances in scientific and sector working practices and technologies. Shares best practice across the team.
- Identify potential scientific techniques to meet defined objectives.
- Review and select appropriate scientific techniques to undertake required tasks (consider risk management, safe working practices, equipment availability, quality standards, the environment, and sustainability).
- Source and calibrate specified instrumentation and laboratory equipment.
- Plan and perform laboratory-based investigations and scientific experimentation using scientific techniques, procedures, and methods relevant to the role.
- Systematically obtain information when conducting scientific experiments.
- Record and store data in accordance with regulatory requirements.
- Contribute to the development or improvement of processes and methodologies and support their implementation into the business as part of a wider team.
- Use data analysis tools and software packages to process or produce reliable, accurate data or information.
- Interpret scientific data to inform actions or recommendations and escalate where required.
- Present the results of scientific work to scientific and non-scientific audiences in written and oral form.
- Plan and prioritise own tasks and complete work to schedule whilst maintaining compliance with internal and external requirements.
- Contribute to recommendations, improvements, or scientific solutions to meet the requirements of internal or external customers.
- Identify, develop or contribute to solutions to technical problems.
- Collaborate with stakeholders and identify results requiring further investigation or escalation.
- Keeps up to date with advances in scientific and sector working practices and technologies. Shares best practice across the team.
Training schedule
Apprentices will learn to
- Carry out tasks and duties safely
- Following instructions
- Site procedures
- Relevant regulations and codes of practice
They will also complete all mandatory training identified in the site’s training matrix, ensuring competence and compliance in a regulated laboratory environment.
More training information
The Level 5 Technician Scientist Apprenticeship is a 36–40 month programme designed to develop advanced technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills in laboratory settings. Apprentices build on Level 3 knowledge to plan and conduct complex experiments, analyse data, and apply scientific principles across applied biology and chemistry.
Training combines workplace learning, day-release study, residential lab sessions, and mentorship. Learners gain expertise in quality assurance, regulatory compliance (GLP, GCP, GMP), documentation, troubleshooting, and critical thinking.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
A Level in:
BTEC in:
Other in:
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
- Customer care skills
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Autonomous working
- Decision making
- Familiarity with laboratories
- Manipulation of tools
- Working doors
Other requirements
GCSE: English, maths & Science. Comfortable working in all weather conditions. A learning attitude when comes to duties and apprenticeship.
About this employer
FCC is one of the UK's leading waste and resource management companies employing more than 2400 people. We provide a range of services from collecting business and municipal waste to quarrying recycling and processing of wastes. We generate green energy from waste, recycle waste into new materials, promote reuse through our reuse shops and play a leading role in maintaining the circular economy, we are now on the lookout for apprentices within various roles to join our ever-growing business.
After this apprenticeship
- Any career progression routes will be discussed upon successful completion of the apprenticeship
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
THE S&A TRANSFORM GROUP LIMITED
Harry Chahal
harry.chahal@sandaacademy.ac.uk
02081526603
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000338641.
Apply now
Closes in 21 days (Saturday 20 September 2025 at 11:59pm)
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