Polymer Processing Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3) - Aylesbury Granulation

Aylesbury Granulation

WOODHAM (HP18 0QE)

Closes in 15 days (Monday 27 October 2025)

Posted on 10 October 2025

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Summary

We are pleased to offer an opportunity for a Recycling Operative to join our small, dynamic team, supporting day-to-day production operations and assisting with the processing and granulation of waste plastics to ensure safe, efficient, and high-quality output.

• Wage:

  £21,000 a year

  Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Starting salary of £21,000/year to £24,000/year depending on experience

• Training course: Polymer processing technician (level 3)
• Hours: Workings hours are 9:00am to 4:00pm (Monday to Friday)

  32 hours 30 minutes a week

• Start date:

  Monday 3 November 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

• Operate recycling machinery, including granulating and shredding, to process a range of rigid plastic materials such as buckets, bins, crates, and manufacturing scrap.
• Feed plastic waste safely and efficiently onto conveyors to maintain consistent production flow.
• Monitor machinery during operation and perform basic troubleshooting to prevent downtime.
• Move materials between the yard and processing unit using appropriate handling equipment.
• Change, weigh, and label bags of finished regrind to meet production and quality standards.
• Maintain a clean, safe, and organised work area at all times.
• Complete production records and paperwork accurately.
• Work collaboratively with the team to ensure smooth operation and achieve production targets.
• Take ownership of the process and, once trained, run the line independently.
• Adhere to all health and safety procedures and company policies.
• Operate a forklift to move materials around the site (training can be provided for candidates without a experience). 
• Please note: This is a very hands on/physical role. You must be 18+ to apply due to insurance purposes.

Where you'll work

UNIT 1
WOODHAM IND EST
CREIGHTON ROAD
WOODHAM
HP18 0QE

Training

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

Training provider

TIRO TRAINING LTD

Training course

Polymer processing technician (level 3)

Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Review instructions or information. For example, work instructions, sampling requirements, drawings dimensioning, labelling, formulations, machine settings.
• Plan task and identify and organise resources with consideration for safety, environmental impact, security, quality and cost.
• Identify and document hazards and risks in the workplace.
• Apply health, safety, and environmental procedures in compliance with regulations and standards. For example, daily machine checks, wearing personal protective equipment.
• Apply sustainability principles for example, in choice of materials, minimising waste.
• Segregate resources for reuse, recycling, and handling.
• Select, check, and prepare materials for polymer processing for example, weighing, control and blending, and conditioning.
• Select, configure (for example, replace or change inserts) and check mould tools, formers, dies or other process equipment.
• Check installation and function of processing equipment for the process.
• Connect service connections such as water, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic.
• Check hand tools, equipment and machinery including calibration record where applicable.
• Set or check machine settings using instructions such as temperature, pressure, speed or time, distance.
• Adjust machine setting for the speeds, positions, pressures and safety of the mould tool, former or die movement to meet product specification.
• Start up manufacturing processes.
• Monitor process feedback and adjust process parameters.
• Shut down manufacturing processes.
• Devise machine settings such as temperature, pressure, speed or time, distance for new or modified equipment, tooling or material.
• Test and evaluate machine settings for new or modified equipment, tooling or material.
• Select and apply optimal machine settings for new or modified equipment, tooling or material (for example, capability study).
• Interpret data for example, process data, quality control and test procedure data. Use data to inform action.
• Identify process faults and resolve.
• Apply post processing techniques for example, assembly, printing, decorating, cooling operations, packing, and labelling.
• Follow quality assurance processes during manufacture.
• Perform quality control checks. For example, conduct parameter checks (size, colour, weight), and take samples.
• Identify quality issues and resolve for example, defects, maintenance requirements.
• Escalate issues outside limits of responsibility.
• Apply preventative maintenance practices. For example, checking guarding, lubrication, cleaning of tooling, safety checks, and inspection for wear and tear.
• Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement. For example, improving the effectiveness of existing production, improving the energy consumption or waste profile of processes and procedures to improve the sustainability or carbon footprint of a product, process or task.
• Apply team working principles.
• Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
• Record or enter information - paper based or electronic. For example, process and production records, traceability records, and quality assurance records.
• Present information.
• Communicate in written form in the workplace for example, handover notes or emails, non-conformances, design change requests, technical reports.
• Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
• Plan how to meet personal development needs. Carry out and record planned and unplanned continued professional development (CPD) activities. Evaluate CPD against plans made.
• Review instructions or information. For example, work instructions, sampling requirements, drawings dimensioning, labelling, formulations, machine settings.
• Plan task and identify and organise resources with consideration for safety, environmental impact, security, quality and cost.
• Identify and document hazards and risks in the workplace.
• Apply health, safety, and environmental procedures in compliance with regulations and standards. For example, daily machine checks, wearing personal protective equipment.
• Apply sustainability principles for example, in choice of materials, minimising waste.
• Segregate resources for reuse, recycling, and handling.
• Select, check, and prepare materials for polymer processing for example, weighing, control and blending, and conditioning.
• Select, configure (for example, replace or change inserts) and check mould tools, formers, dies or other process equipment.
• Check installation and function of processing equipment for the process.
• Connect service connections such as water, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic.
• Check hand tools, equipment and machinery including calibration record where applicable.
• Set or check machine settings using instructions such as temperature, pressure, speed or time, distance.
• Adjust machine setting for the speeds, positions, pressures and safety of the mould tool, former or die movement to meet product specification.
• Start up manufacturing processes.
• Monitor process feedback and adjust process parameters.
• Shut down manufacturing processes.
• Devise machine settings such as temperature, pressure, speed or time, distance for new or modified equipment, tooling or material.
• Test and evaluate machine settings for new or modified equipment, tooling or material.
• Select and apply optimal machine settings for new or modified equipment, tooling or material (for example, capability study).
• Interpret data for example, process data, quality control and test procedure data. Use data to inform action.
• Identify process faults and resolve.
• Apply post processing techniques for example, assembly, printing, decorating, cooling operations, packing, and labelling.
• Follow quality assurance processes during manufacture.
• Perform quality control checks. For example, conduct parameter checks (size, colour, weight), and take samples.
• Identify quality issues and resolve for example, defects, maintenance requirements.
• Escalate issues outside limits of responsibility.
• Apply preventative maintenance practices. For example, checking guarding, lubrication, cleaning of tooling, safety checks, and inspection for wear and tear.
• Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement. For example, improving the effectiveness of existing production, improving the energy consumption or waste profile of processes and procedures to improve the sustainability or carbon footprint of a product, process or task.
• Apply team working principles.
• Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
• Record or enter information - paper based or electronic. For example, process and production records, traceability records, and quality assurance records.
• Present information.
• Communicate in written form in the workplace for example, handover notes or emails, non-conformances, design change requests, technical reports.
• Use information and digital technology. Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
• Plan how to meet personal development needs. Carry out and record planned and unplanned continued professional development (CPD) activities. Evaluate CPD against plans made.

Training schedule

Over 24 months, you’ll devote a minimum of 6 hours of your working week on ‘off the job’ training. This can include theory training (for example, virtual lessons & online learning), alongside practical training (for example shadowing, mentoring, & time spent writing assignments. Together this will count towards a Level 3 Polymer Processing Technician apprenticeship.

You’ll be trained by an expert tutor from Tiro as well as an experienced mentor at Aylesbury Granulation who together, will make sure you develop the knowledge, skills, and work habits you’ll need to succeed in your career.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 4 / C +)
• Maths (grade 4 / C +)
• Science (grade 4 / C +)

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
• Organisation skills
• Problem solving skills
• Logical
• Initiative

Other requirements

This is a very hands on/physical role. You must be 18+ to apply due to insurance purposes.

About this employer

Aylesbury Granulation is an independent, family-run plastic recycling company based in Buckinghamshire. Since 2011, they have specialised in processing segregated rigid plastic waste into high-quality regrinds for reuse in manufacturing across the UK. With a strong focus on sustainability, quality, and reliability, they help businesses turn plastic waste into valuable raw material—reducing landfill use and supporting the circular economy. Their small, dedicated team ensures every batch is handled with care, maintaining strict standards of cleanliness and quality.

https://www.agsplasticgranulation.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Clear pathway to future plant management On-site parking

After this apprenticeship

When you join Aylesbury Granulation, the possibilities for your success are limitless. As a successful applicant, you have the potential to secure a full-time position within the company at the conclusion of your apprenticeship. The company is seeking an apprentice with the goal of developing a long-term team member following the successful completion of the apprenticeship, as part of their ongoing succession planning. 

Through practical training on the job, you will acquire new skills and gain the competence and responsibility required for manufacturing and process operations. This apprenticeship programme serves as a stepping stone towards a rewarding career in polymer processing, with the added opportunity for the apprentice to become a registered Science or Engineering Technician (RSci/Eng Tech).

This apprenticeship offers opportunities for professional growth, enabling you to specialise in areas such as process optimisation, quality control, or equipment maintenance, and to progress into supervisory or leadership roles within the polymer manufacturing environment.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

TIRO TRAINING LTD

John Proctor

john.proctor@tiro.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000346053.

Apply now

Closes in 15 days (Monday 27 October 2025)

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