The Operations Apprentice role focuses on developing the skills and knowledge required to safely carry out core manufacturing activities within the PolyBitumens plant. This includes the safe receipt, storage, heating, blending, and dispatch of bitumen, polymer-modified bitumen (PMB), and bitumen emulsion products, while completing a recognised apprenticeship standard.
The role builds strong capability in health and safety, quality control, process operations, logistics coordination, and basic maintenance to support efficient and compliant plant operations.
Summary of duties:
Health, Safety & Environment (HS&E)
Follow site safety rules, permit-to-work, lockout/tagout (LOTO), confined space, and hot work controls.
Conduct dynamic risk assessments, point-of-work safety checks, and report near-misses/hazards.
Use correct PPE; maintain good housekeeping (5S).
Support spill prevention/response, waste segregation, and environmental monitoring (bunds, drains, emissions).
Participate in toolbox talks, safety briefings, and incident learning reviews.
Process Operations
Assist with safe receipt of feedstocks (bitumen and additives) via road/tanker, including sampling, temperature checks, and transfer line setup.
Operate heating systems, circulation, blending, and agitation processes within defined parameters.
Execute batch blending to production orders and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Complete routine tank gauging, valve line-ups, and product changeovers.
Prepare and load dispatch tankers, including pre-loading checks, and documentation.
Support start-up/shutdown procedures and process isolations under supervision.
Quality & Laboratory Interface
Take representative product samples under guidance.
Interpret results against product specifications; escalate non-conformances.
Support corrective actions (re-blend, re-heat, quarantine, lab re-test).
Maintain sample retention.
Maintenance & Asset Care
Perform first-line checks (levels, leaks, temperatures, gauges, filters, strainers).
Complete basic preventive maintenance tasks and lubrication schedules where trained.
Raise work orders/defects, support contractors and maintenance teams during planned works.
Understand and apply equipment isolation/LOTO and permit compliance.
Logistics & Systems
Coordinate with planning, transport, and commercial teams for inbound/outbound schedules.
Use systems to record movements, batch IDs, stock reconciliations, and delivery paperwork.
Support stock management: daily/weekly tank reconciliations, ullage checks, stock variance investigations.
Continuous Improvement
Contribute ideas to reduce waste, rework, and energy consumption (e.g., heat loss, insulation checks, heat-up curves).
Please note: Due to the nature of the role and Health & Safety requirements, you must be 18 to be eligible for this apprenticeship.