Laboratory Technician Apprentice (Level 3) - Avon Protection

AVON POLYMER PRODUCTS LIMITED

Melksham (SN12 6NB)

Closes on Monday 23 March 2026

Posted on 5 February 2026

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Summary

Avon Protection are pleased to offer an opportunity for a Lab Tech Apprentice to join their team, supporting the testing of rubber and other polymer materials. This role plays a key part in laboratory operations, product testing in line with production needs, ensuring work is carried out safely, accurately, to quality standards.

Wage

£20,000 a year

Check minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Starting salary of £20,000/year (Will increase to at least NMW for your age group after the first 12 months of the apprenticeship)

Training course
Laboratory technician (level 3)
Hours
08:30 to 17:00, Monday to Thursday. 08:30 to 16:00, Friday.

36 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Monday 6 April 2026

Duration

1 year 6 months

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

  • Work safely in a laboratory, maintaining excellent housekeeping whilst following appropriate safety, environment and risk management systems
  • Follow quality procedures to meet the requirements of quality standards relevant to the workplace
  • Prepare for laboratory tasks using the appropriate scientific techniques, procedures and methods
  • Perform laboratory tasks following specified methodologies, such as Standard Operating Procedures
  • Use of specified instrumentation and laboratory equipment, including calibration where required
  • Produce reliable, accurate data and keep accurate records of laboratory work undertaken and results
  • Analyse, interpret and evaluate data and identify results requiring further investigation seeking advice of senior colleagues as appropriate
  • Communicate scientific information appropriately, including the use of Laboratory Information Management systems, either digital or paper based
  • Apply scientific techniques for data presentation. e.g. statistics.
  • Recognise problems and apply appropriate scientific methods to identify causes and achieve solutions
  • Participate in continuous business performance improvement
  • Routine maintenance and cleaning of equipment and laboratory
  • Managing workflows to ensure that work is delivered on time
  • Liaison with internal and external customers
  • Any other duties required by the business

Where you'll work

Hq
Hampton Park West Semington Road
Melksham
SN12 6NB

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

Over 18 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 Laboratory Technician apprenticeship.

You’ll be trained by an expert tutor from Tiro as well as an experienced mentor at Avon Protection 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

  • Communication skills
  • Attention to detail
  • Organisation skills
  • Problem solving skills
  • Analytical skills
  • Logical
  • Team working
  • Initiative

Other requirements

Please note: Due to the nature of the role and the Health & Safety requirements - you must be 18+ to be suitable. You will also need to consent to a private background check if you are offered the position, due to the nature of the role and the site restrictions.

About this employer

Avon Protection is an innovative capability provider specializing in the design, development, testing and manufacture of integrated protective systems.

Our portfolio of mission-critical protection solutions includes full face respirators, CBRN protective wear, escape hoods, SCBA systems, modular PAPR units, thermal imaging cameras and underwater equipment.

https://www.avon-protection.com/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • 25 days leave plus bank holidays
  • Company pension scheme
  • Canteen on site
  • Life assurance (6x salary)
  • Holiday purchase scheme
  • Medicash scheme
  • Employee reward scheme

After this apprenticeship

When you join Avon Protection, 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.

Through practical training on the job, you will acquire new skills and gain the competence and responsibility required for laboratory testing. This apprenticeship program serves as a stepping stone towards a rewarding career in laboratory testing, with the added opportunity for the apprentice to become a registered Science technician (RSci Tech).

This program unlocks a multitude of career paths, granting you access to diverse organisations across various sectors. Whether it's the chemical and pharmaceutical industries (primary and secondary), biotechnology companies, nuclear enterprises, analytical science services, or educational institutions, the doors are wide open.

This apprenticeship can also help pave the way for further educational and professional advancement. You may choose to pursue higher-level qualifications through one of our Degree Apprenticeships such as Applied Chemical Science.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

TIRO TRAINING LTD

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000013092.

Apply now

Closes on Monday 23 March 2026

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