Apprentice Quality Control Assistant

BIM UNITED KINGDOM LTD

BOLTON (BL1 2NP)

Closes in 30 days (Friday 18 September 2026 at 11:59pm)

Posted on 18 August 2026

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Summary

Quality control role involving laboratory sampling, testing, measuring, recording and analysing results. You’ll provide technical support to ensure the laboratory operates effectively while following procedures and health and safety guidelines. You’ll also receive one-to-one coaching and support from a dedicated mentor.

• Wage:

  £19,500 a year

  Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

  £19,500 initially

• Training course: Laboratory technician (level 3)
• Hours: Mon-Friday 8am or 8.30am start 37.5hours Overtime paid. Shifts TBC.

  37 hours 30 minutes a week

• Start date:

  Monday 21 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

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

Quality Control position with BIM UK LTD Responsible for laboratory-based tasks, which include sampling, testing, measuring, recording and analysing results. You will also provide all the required technical support to enable the laboratory to function effectively whilst adhering to correct procedures and health and safety guidelines.

The individual will be working within a laboratory environment and must therefore adhere to site dress code procedures and personal hygiene standards during testing activities (e.g. correct use of PPE such as laboratory coats and glasses; and removal of all jewellery and make-up upon entry into controlled clean room areas).

Once trained on specific tasks, the role will involve working on your own initiative at times.  There may also be a requirement to take samples from the production facility and working on the pilot plant. Working on all aspects of the laboratory function including Quality Control and Development will be required. This will involve routine tasks

Typical work activities:

Tasks typically involve:

• performing laboratory tests in order to produce reliable and precise data to support production activities.
• carrying out routine tasks accurately and following strict methodologies to carry out analyses.
• preparing samples. 
• maintaining and operating a wide variety of analytical equipment.
• supporting on plant, in process testing.
• ensuring the laboratory is well-stocked and resourced.
• maintain good accurate written records of work carried out.
• recording and interpreting results to support production and ensure compliance.
• using computers and performing mathematical calculations for the determination and presentation of results.
• keeping up to date with technical developments, especially those which can save time and improve reliability.
• conducting searches on relevant topics.
• maintaining compliance with Management Systems.
• following and ensuring strict safety procedures and safety checks.
• to perform these duties in an accurate and timely manner.

Where you'll work

PRINCE STREET
BOLTON
BL1 2NP

Training

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

Training provider

COGENT SSC 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

The Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3) with Cogent Skills is designed to equip learners with the practical skills, scientific knowledge, and safety awareness required to support high-quality laboratory operations across research, quality control, and product development environments. The programme develops technicians capable of delivering reliable experimental results, maintaining laboratory equipment, and contributing to continuous improvement in scientific processes.

The Level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship is delivered through a blended model combining online learning, workplace assessment, and practical workshops.

Delivery Model - 

• 1 day per week online knowledge delivery.
• workplace-based assessment of laboratory competence.
• 3-day practical workshop at the National STEM Centre, York.
• 3-day exam residential at Cogent Skills Head Office, Warrington (if qualification chosen).
• ongoing review and support throughout the programme.

More training information

Apprentices apply learning directly in their operational role, building scientific competence while contributing to laboratory productivity. Regular progress reviews ensure development aligns with employer requirements and pathway specialism.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

• English (grade 4 and above)
• Maths (grade 4 and above)

Desirable qualifications

A Level in:

• Chemistry (grade C and above)
• Maths (grade C and above)
• Physics (grade C and 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
• Administrative skills
• Number skills
• Analytical skills
• Logical
• Team working
• Initiative
• Patience

Other requirements

Direct entry from school or college will normally require three A-levels (with one being Chemistry, Maths or Physics) or equivalent, equating to a minimum of 112 UCAS tariff points. Prospective candidates should also have maths and English GCSE grade A-C or equivalent. We will individually evaluate candidates who do not meet these requirements but have suitable work experience.

The Ideal candidate must be a good communicator, numerate and have an analytical and logical approach. You will need to have an aptitude for hands-on, laboratory work as this will form a major part of your Apprenticeship.

About this employer

We develop, manufacture, apply and supply specialty chemical-based concepts, technology and service for the pulp and paper industry’s products and processes. In the UK we work extensively with the tissue industry, supplying both tissue manufacturers and tissue conversion customers. 

BIM was founded in 1973 in Sweden by Peter Wållberg and is today an international family entrepreneurial group, owned by the Wållberg family.

People

BIM has approx. 220 employees worldwide.

Research & development

BIM is a research intensive enterprise. Spending approx. 8 - 12% of sales on R & D, In terms of R&D spend the company in the same league as large pharmaceutical producers.

Head office in Sweden

The head office is in Stenkullen, near Göteborg, Sweden, where you also find central R&D, customer service lab and one of our 5 production centres.

Local operations

BIM has local sales operations in Sweden, Norway, Finland, England, Germany, Belgium, Czech Republic, Portugal, France, South Africa and agents and distributors in most other pulp and papermaking countries.

Company culture

We are devoted to the “BIM Spirit”, a company culture based on commitment, hard work, innovation and customer intimacy.

http://www.bimkemi.com (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

Pension Scheme - Employer Amount - 5%

Holiday Entitlement - 25

After this apprenticeship

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

Apprentice leading to permanent role.

The progression route can be to the technical team and into other aspects of the business, including operations or sales.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

COGENT SSC LIMITED

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000048690.

Apply now

Closes in 30 days (Friday 18 September 2026 at 11:59pm)