Laboratory Technician Apprentice

HEXCEL COMPOSITES LTD

Cambridge (CB22 4QB)

Closes in 28 days (Saturday 4 July 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 5 June 2026

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Summary

Join the Hexcel team around the globe and become a part of the “strength within” as a R&D Technician. Do you have an eye for detail? Are you looking for role with great training/career prospects? If you have just left college with a qualification in Chemistry or materials/polymer science, then this could be the role for you!

Wage

£26,520 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Salary is reviewed in January each year

Training course
Laboratory technician (level 3)
Hours
8:30am - 4.45pm Monday to Friday

37 hours 30 minutes a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

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

With full training you will be responsible for:

  • R&D laboratory duties including preparing and evaluating composite materials
  • Formulating and mixing resins and other chemicals, producing films and “prepreg” materials, curing laminates and performing a range of thermal analytical and mechanical tests
  • Participating in research or new product development projects
  • Planning the technical aspects of the work with guidance from their supervisor and to provide technical observations, interpretation of results and to provide and execute experimental ideas based on technical inferences
  • Developing expertise and developing a level of background understanding on technically relevant methodologies

Where you'll work

Ickleton Road
Duxford
Cambridge
CB22 4QB

Training

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

Training provider

CSR SCIENTIFIC TRAINING 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

You will undertake a Level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship with an Ofsted rated 'Outstanding' training provider, CSR Scientific Training, which will include: 

  • Fully recognised apprenticeship qualification - Level 3 Laboratory Technician
  • On-the-job competency training
  • Theoretical knowledge - BTEC Level 3 Applied Science (if required)
     

The majority of your learning will be completed online once a week with some face-to-face practical sessions/exams in Birmingham (if BTEC is included).

Upon successful completion, apprentices can apply for professional registration as a Registered Science Technician, RSciTech, with either the Institute of Physics, Royal Society of Chemistry or Royal Society of Biology.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

x 5 including Maths, English and Science (grade C/4 or above)

A Level in:

Science (grade C or above)

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
  • Non judgemental

Other requirements

  • 1-2 years laboratory experience would be advantageous
  • You must have been a UK resident for a minimum of 3 years to be eligible for this position
  • If you already hold a BSc or MSc in a closely related field, you will be ineligible for apprenticeship funding
  • We are manufacturing site on the outskirts of a village so the applicant must be able to drive
  • Must be 18 years or older due to the nature of the work being carried out
  • To give yourself the best chance, please ensure your application is genuine and written in your own words. Applications created solely with AI tools may not be accepted

About this employer

From Roger Steele’s post-war laboratory in the basement of a suburban home to the production of the lunar struts of the Apollo 11 lunar landing module, Hexcel has been synonymous with innovation throughout its history. Hexcel was ready when the defence aerospace industry needed strong lightweight materials following World War II, and our company remains a leader in delivering innovative advanced composite solutions to our customers.

https://www.hexcel.com/About/Site-Locations/1445/hexcel-duxford (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

  • Option to join private medical
  • Enhanced pension scheme
  • £16 meal subsidy for the onsite restaurant each month
  • We have flexi policy and hybrid working where possible

After this apprenticeship

Potential progression into a full-time technician role, with longer-term development along a technical career pathway aligned to Hexcel’s grading structure and business needs.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CSR SCIENTIFIC TRAINING LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000035380.

Apply now

Closes in 28 days (Saturday 4 July 2026 at 11:59pm)