Polymer Processing Technician Apprenticeship

PLAZOLOGY LTD

Liverpool (L20 8AH)

Closes in 12 days (Tuesday 18 August 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 6 August 2026

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Summary

Join Plazology as a Polymer Processing Technician Apprentice, gaining hands-on experience in injection moulding process setup, optimisation and quality control. You’ll work alongside experienced process engineers supporting global manufacturing clients while studying towards a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification.

• Wage:

  £15,392 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age

  National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  Potential to be increased based on experience and qualifications

• Training course: Polymer processing technician (level 3)
• Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday, including day release for college attendance, working hours TBC.

  37 hours a week

• Start date:

  Wednesday 26 August 2026

• Duration:

  3 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

• Setting up and operating injection moulding machines under supervision
• Monitoring and adjusting process parameters (temperature, pressure, cycle time) to maintain quality and efficiency
• Carrying out first-off and in-process quality checks against specification
• Recording process data and supporting investigations into process deviations
• Attending college on day release to work towards the Level 3 Polymer Processing Technician qualification

Where you'll work

Unit 1 Biz Hub the Bridgewater Complex
36 Canal Street
Liverpool
L20 8AH

Training

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

Training provider

CITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON COLLEGE

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

• Polymer Processing Technician Level 3
• Block release at Telford Campus
• The rest of the training will take place in the workplace

More training information

The successful candidate may also be asked to work at customers sites.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 4/C or above)
• Maths (grade 4/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
• Problem solving skills

Other requirements

• Must be 18 or older due to block release and overnight stays and travel
• This role may involve occasional travel to client sites as part of on-the-job training exposure

About this employer

Plazology provide technical expertise to global customers who are involved in the development of plastic injection moulded components, ranging from large automotive components to complex medical assemblies

After this apprenticeship

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).

During the apprenticeship, further learning opportunities will include Moldex3D simulation, data analysis, CMM set-up and management, and mould design. The goal is for the apprentice to reach a good technical standard and be capable of working independently in the role, with opportunities to progress into process engineering, quality or technical support positions within Plazology or its client base.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

CITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON COLLEGE

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000046398.

Apply now

Closes in 12 days (Tuesday 18 August 2026 at 11:59pm)