Materials Laboratory Technician Apprentice

HOLCIM UK LIMITED

Derbyshire, Frome, Slough

Closes on Saturday 1 August 2026

Posted on 28 November 2025

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Summary

This is a fantastic opportunity to start your career in a hands on Technical Apprenticeship within our Materials Laboratory team. You'll be based on site, working alongside experienced technicians who will support you as you learn how to sample, test and report on the quality of our sand, aggregates and bituminous products.

Wage

Competitive

Competitive wage offered

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Laboratory technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm, shifts, may work evenings and weekends.

37 hours a week

Start date

Monday 7 September 2026

Duration

2 years

Positions available

4

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

  • In this role, you will play an important part in making sure the materials we produce meet the highest quality and safety standards
  • You’ll learn how to work safely in a laboratory environment, follow clear testing procedures and understand how our products are used across major construction projects
    You will get hands on experience taking samples, carrying out tests on materials like sand, aggregates and bituminous products, and recording results using our laboratory systems
  • You will also learn how to spot and report any issues, help investigate early product concerns and support the team in keeping equipment well maintained and calibrated
  • You’ll work closely with experienced technicians who will coach you as you build your knowledge, develop your technical skills and start providing support to colleagues and customers

Where you'll work

You can select which locations you want to apply for in your application on Find an apprenticeship.

This apprenticeship is available in these locations:

  • Moordale R&D, Smith Hall Lane, Hulland Ward, Derbyshire, DE6 3ET
  • Colemans Quarry, Holwell, Nunney, Frome, BA11 4PX
  • Colnbrook By-Pass, Slough, SL3 0EB

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

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 Apprenticeship Standard

Requirements

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
  • Team working

Other requirements

You will enjoy working in a practical environment and have a keen eye for detail. You will be curious about how things work, willing to learn and confident asking questions. You will take pride in following processes accurately and safely, and you will be comfortable using technology as part of your day to day work. Most importantly, you will be motivated, reliable and ready to develop your skills and knowledge.

About this employer

Holcim UK is one of the leading building materials suppliers in the UK! Our mission is to Make Sustainable Construction a Reality. It's more than just a slogan, it's a commitment to a better future. With over 200 sites and around 3,700 dedicated employees, we offer a full range of construction products to help our partners work sustainably, safely, professionally and profitably. Home to everything from aggregates, asphalt, ready-mixed concrete, cement and precast concrete products, we also produce, import and supply construction materials, export aggregates and carry out national road surfacing and contracting solutions. We’re a proud member of Holcim, which is the leading global building materials and solutions company with around 70,000 employees in over 80 countries. It holds leading positions in all regions with a balanced portfolio of developing and mature markets.

https://careers.holcim.co.uk/pages/early-careers (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

  • Once qualified, you might find yourself working in a research laboratory or environmental science laboratory

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

TIRO TRAINING LTD

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000002838.

Apply now

Closes on Saturday 1 August 2026

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After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.