Description
Location: Potters Ln, Wednesbury, West Midlands, WS10 7NR
Working for Biffa
Biffa is one of the UK’s leading waste management and recycling businesses, supporting households, local authorities and major organisations across the country. With over 100 years of history, the company plays a vital role in keeping the UK clean, safe and sustainable - from waste collection and recycling to innovative energy recovery solutions.
Biffa is focused on creating a greener future by reducing waste, improving recycling rates and driving the shift towards a more circular economy. Across all sites and services, Biffa invests in modern facilities, new technologies and the development of its people.As an apprentice joining Biffa, you’ll be part of a company where safety, teamwork and environmental responsibility are at the heart of everything they do. You’ll gain experience in a real industrial setting while contributing to work that has a positive impact on communities and the environment.
To learn more about Biffa and explore their career pathways, visit their About Us and Careers pages:
🔗 About Biffa
🌐 Careers page
The Package
* Starting salary of £24,180 per year
* 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
* Workings hours are 37.5 hours per week, between the hours of 7:00am - 5:00pm (depending on department)
* Company pension scheme
* Regular training and CPD opportunities
What will I be doing as an apprentice?
We are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for a Laboratory Technician Apprentice to join Biffa, supporting the safe operation of the on-site laboratory and gaining hands-on experience in hazardous waste treatment, recycling processes, and environmental compliance.
This apprenticeship provides a structured pathway into the waste chemistry and specialist services sector, giving you exposure to laboratory work, site-based testing, legislation, analytical interpretation, and customer-facing technical support. It’s not your typical lab-only role — you’ll rotate across multiple departments, work both indoors and outdoors, and play a key part in supporting real technical operations. This is an excellent opportunity for someone confident (but not arrogant), adaptable, eager to learn, and quick to pick things up in a fast-paced environment.
Summary of duties:
* Carry out routine sampling, testing, analysis, interpretation, and reporting to support safe and compliant laboratory and site operations.
* Develop technical, analytical, and professional skills through structured training, on-site learning, and cross-department rotations.
* Support hazardous waste assessment and treatment activities, including lab work and chemist tasks carried out on site.
* Contribute to environmental compliance by monitoring data, following procedures, and ensuring accurate record keeping.
* Gain exposure to legislation, COSHH requirements, and the regulatory frameworks that govern hazardous waste management.
* Assist with Specialist Services projects, customer queries, documentation, and data handling across multiple teams.
* Communicate effectively with chemists, technical sales advisors, operational specialists, and customers as part of daily tasks.
* Work flexibly across different locations to build practical experience and support wider operational needs.
What could the future look like?
When you join Biffa, the opportunities for your future are wide-ranging. As a successful apprentice, you’ll have the potential to progress into a full-time role within the Specialist Services team, continuing your development as a Biffa Laboratory Technician and building a long-term career with us.
Through hands-on training, you’ll develop the competence, confidence, and technical skill required for both laboratory and site-based testing. This apprenticeship provides a strong platform for continued professional growth, including the opportunity to work towards becoming a Registered Science Technician (RSciTech).
Completing this programme opens pathways not only within laboratory science, but across the wider Biffa business. With ongoing investment, varied operations, and a strong pipeline of specialist roles, you’ll have the chance to explore opportunities in technical services, compliance, operational management, customer service, or project-based work - finding the right long-term fit for your strengths and ambitions.
This apprenticeship can also support your progression into higher-level qualifications, including the potential to advance onto one of our Degree Apprenticeships, such as Applied Chemical Science. Biffa is committed to developing and retaining talent, and we actively encourage apprentices to grow, progress, and build a sustainable career with us.
Skills, Knowledge, and Experience
About You
You’re a reliable, adaptable, and practical person who takes pride in doing a job properly, with strong attention to detail and a willingness to follow procedures carefully. You enjoy hands-on work and feel comfortable operating in both laboratory and outdoor environments, including working safely with chemicals and waste materials while wearing the appropriate PPE.
You communicate clearly, stay calm when solving problems, and can work effectively with a wide range of people — from chemists and technical teams to customers and operational staff. You’re proactive in managing your workload, organised in how you approach tasks, and committed to working safely and responsibly at all times.
Most importantly, you’re curious, eager to learn, and ready to take on new challenges as you rotate across different departments and sites, contributing positively to the wider Specialist Services team.
Please note: Due to the nature of the role, you must be 18+.
Experience
We value your attitude and potential just as much as your background. You don’t need previous experience in the waste industry — we welcome those who are new to the sector and ready to learn quickly. Experience in laboratory work, customer-facing environments, or working to tight deadlines can be helpful, but is not essential.
Whether you’re leaving school or college, or looking to start a new career path, what matters most is your enthusiasm, professionalism, and readiness to work in a fast-paced, regulated environment with a strong safety culture.
Qualifications
It’s about enthusiasm, not school results. In our experience, the most successful apprentices are driven to find out more about the sector, can be upfront about what they do and don’t already know, are considerate, self-reflective, and eager to learn the role.
So how does the apprenticeship work?
Over 18 months (plus a 3 month EPA period), 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 Biffa, who together, will make sure you develop the knowledge, skills, and work habits you’ll need to succeed in your career.Being an apprentice is hands-on, so you’ll get the chance to learn things you might otherwise not have experienced in a university or college environment.
The best part? You’ll be earning a salary while you gain your qualifications, meaning no huge student loans to pay back at the end of the programme!
Eligibility
While we never want to hinder your job application process with obstacles, there are some minimum requirements you’ll need to meet in order to do an apprenticeship, these are rules set by the UK Government.
As a training provider, we are committed to ensuring that our apprenticeship programs deliver significant new knowledge and skills. To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate that the program will provide learning and experiences beyond their current qualifications and professional expertise.
If you already hold a Level 3, degree or equivalent higher-level qualification in a closely related field, or possess substantial relevant experience, you may not be eligible for apprenticeship funding, as these programmes are designed for individuals who require upskilling or reskilling in their chosen career pathway.
You’ll need to be over 16, not in full time education, have lived in the UK for 3 years and have the right to work in the UK.
If you don’t quite meet these minimum requirements yet, let us know you’re interested here and we’ll get in touch to discuss this further with you.
We’re Tiro (pronounced Tea-ro — white, two sugars).
In Latin, it means novice, recruit, apprentice, beginner, and soldier — the perfect name for a company that’s been helping fearless apprentices join ambitious businesses since 2005.
We believe great apprenticeships help everyone. There are remarkable apprentices out there just waiting to be found, and fantastic employers waiting to nurture them.
We’re proud to help connect the two — supporting industries that make, test, and innovate; from polymer manufacturing and materials science to sustainable engineering and advanced technology.
At Tiro, we make great things happen for people.
And that starts with you.