Science Technician Apprentice
New College Swindon
Wiltshire (SN3 1AH)
Closes in 18 days (Sunday 19 October 2025)
Posted on 25 September 2025
Contents
Summary
We're looking for a keen learner to join our Sixth Faculty team and support the delivery of exciting practical science lessons. You'll be working behind the scenes to make experiments happen (prepping materials, testing new ideas and making sure everything runs smoothly and safely).
- Wage
-
£16,333 a year
Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Pay bracket £16,333-£20,641 per annum
- Training course
- Laboratory technician (level 3)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday 8am - 4pm/8.30am - 4.30pm/9am - 5pm
37 hours a week
- Start date
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Saturday 1 November 2025
- Duration
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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
Are you curious about how things work, love hands-on experiments and want to be part of something bigger than just textbooks? Whether you're fresh out of school or looking to retrain, this is your chance to step into the lab and start your journey as a Science Technician Apprentice! Depending on your and your experience, you can pursue a Level 3 Lab Technician apprenticeship (28-months) or Level 5 Lab Scientist apprenticeship (39-months). This role is term time only.
- Set up and clear down practical experiments
- Help design and trial new scientific activities
- Manage stock and equipment (yes, you'll get to order cool science stuff!)
- Support health and safety in the lab
- Keep accurate records of your work and learning
Full job description is available to download.
Where you'll work
New College Drive
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN3 1AH
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
Laboratory Technician Level 3.
- Real world lab skills and scientific techniques
- Health and safety regulations including COSHH
- How to work with budgets and stock control
- Communication and teamwork in a professional environment
- All the knowledge needed to complete your apprenticeship qualification
- Taught sessions and on the job training
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE 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
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Administrative skills
- Number skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Patience
Other requirements
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. If successful in being appointed to a post, you will be expected to apply for a disclosure from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and other pre-employment checks will be carried out before your appointment is confirmed.
About this employer
Welcome to our vibrant, dynamic and innovative college. We are committed to providing the best teaching, learning, facilities, enrichment and development opportunities for all of our students. Our belief in ‘One College for Swindon’ gives all students in Swindon and the surrounding areas access to high quality teaching and learning. Whether you want to start your career, get a university place, secure a promotion or find a new hobby, we can help.
https://www.newcollege.ac.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
5.5 weeks holiday paid in salary, 21.7% College pension contribution to LGPS, health care cash plan, free car parking, discounted Hair & Beauty, on-site gym, staff development & training, Pluxee Retail Discount Scheme, and more!
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
Level 5 apprenticeship and or full-time employment.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
NEW COLLEGE SWINDON
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000343875.
Apply now
Closes in 18 days (Sunday 19 October 2025)
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