Apprentice Lab Technician

SHIRLEY TECHNOLOGIES LTD

Manchester (M17 1EH)

Closes on Tuesday 17 February 2026

Posted on 9 January 2026

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Summary

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

Wage

£17,000 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  • 25 days holiday
  • Competitive salary & Bonus Scheme
  • Flexi-time system
  • Health Cover
  • Contributory Pension Scheme 

Training course
Laboratory technician (level 3)
Hours
TBC.

37 hours a week

Start date

Wednesday 18 February 2026

Duration

2 years

Positions available

3

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

Apprenticeship Vacancies 

  • Calibration Laboratory Technician Apprentice 
  • Assist with routine calibration and measurement checks on laboratory equipment and instrumentation
  • Support the accurate recording of calibration activities and results in line with ISO 17025 and internal procedures
  • Help maintain calibration documentation and records under supervision
  • Industrial Materials (Geosynthetics) Apprentice 
  • Assist with mechanical and hydraulic testing of geosynthetic and industrial materials in accordance with standard test methods and internal SOPs
  • Carry out basic instrument checks and routine maintenance activities
  • Support the maintenance of quality system records, procedures, and documentation
  • An interest in Geosynthetics/experience is much preferred
  • Chemistry Laboratory Apprentice 
  • Assist with sample preparation, wet chemistry, and extraction techniques for textiles and related products
  • Support laboratory activities leading to instrumental analysis using techniques such as ICP-MS, UV-VIS, GC-MS, and LC-MS
  • Carry out basic instrument maintenance and calibration checks under supervision
  • Maintain accurate laboratory and quality system records 

An exciting opportunity is available for aspiring Laboratory Technicians to join laboratory teams and begin a rewarding career, gaining hands-on experience across three specialist areas: calibration, materials testing, and chemistry.

When applying for this opportunity, candidates should clearly indicate the pathway they wish to be considered for. While each of the three roles operates independently, there are excellent opportunities to rotate across different laboratory areas, allowing the apprentice to become more flexible, well-rounded, and add greater value to the organisation.

These positions bring together three distinct laboratory technician functions—Calibration, Industrial Materials (Geosynthetics), and Chemistry, within a single job specification, as all roles follow the Laboratory Technician Level 3 apprenticeship programme.

The apprentice will gain structured, supervised experience across these laboratory areas while working towards a nationally recognised qualification.

Where you'll work

Unit 6
Wheel Forge Way, Trafford Park
Manchester
M17 1EH

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

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

This training schedule has not been finalised. Check with this employer if you’ll need to travel to a college or training location for this apprenticeship.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

  • English (grade 4)
  • Maths (grade 4)
  • Science (grade 4)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

  • Communication skills
  • Organisation skills
  • Team working
  • Initiative

Other requirements

  • A genuine interest in science, laboratory work, and technical environments
  • Strong attention to detail and a willingness to follow procedures accurately
  • Good communication skills and the ability to work effectively as part of a team
  • A positive attitude, reliability, and commitment to learning and development 

About this employer

With over a century of experience in textiles and related products, the organisation is a leading independent provider specialising in testing, certification, auditing, and training. Its work focuses on areas including Personal Protective Equipment, Construction Products, and textile testing and certification, alongside analytical, investigative, and expert witness services.

Operating across ten countries, the organisation supports clients in over 70 countries, with multiple laboratories in the UK and internationally, as well as offices throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, and the USA.

Company benefits

  • 25 days holiday
  • Competitive salary & Bonus Scheme
  • Flexi-time system
  • Health Cover
  • Contributory Pension Scheme 

After this apprenticeship

TBC.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

THE S&A TRANSFORM GROUP LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000007716.

Apply now

Closes on Tuesday 17 February 2026