Description
Location: Manston Business Park, Industrial Estate, Unit 16 Invicta Way, Ramsgate, CT12 5FD
Working for PJB Technical Services
Welcome to PJB Technical Services Ltd, your foremost choice for materials testing. We specialise in comprehensive testing services for Airfields (Military and Commercial) and Aggregates, Asphalt, Concrete and Soils.
Our internal standards Laboratory and mobile laboratories empower us to conduct a diverse range of in-situ, investigations and Laboratory Testing across the UK and abroad. Whether you require Grip Testing, coring, pull testing, plate loads, or LWDs to name a few. If your works are on pre, post and during construction, we’ve got you covered, expect nothing less than exceptional service.
PJB Technical Services was established in 1992 and has been gaining momentum in growing its specialist diverse team with an extensive knowledge of engineering and testing.
The Package
* Starting salary of £14,722/year (going up to at least NMW for your age group after 12 months on programme)
* Workings hours are 37.5 hours per week
* Pension scheme
* Regular training and CPD opportunities
* Flexible shift patterns
What will I be doing as an apprentice?
We are pleased to offer an opportunity for a Materials Technician Apprentice to join the team, supporting day-to-day laboratory and site operations. This role will involve assisting with routine materials testing, maintaining equipment and work areas, and supporting technicians both in the laboratory and on construction sites, where permitted.
As the apprenticeship progresses, the successful candidate will gain experience across a range of materials testing activities, quality control processes, and site support functions, developing practical and technical skills within a supportive environment. This apprenticeship provides a strong foundation for a future career in materials testing and construction quality assurance.
Summary of duties:
* Carry out basic laboratory tasks to support routine materials testing activities.
* Assist with the making and de-moulding of concrete cubes and beams.
* Maintain clean, organised, and well-stocked laboratory and store areas.
* Clean, restock, and check testing equipment, ensuring calibration dates are current.
* Support vehicle management by updating tracking systems and confirming daily checks have been completed (as experience develops).
* Assist site teams when permitted and holding the appropriate CSCS card, including supporting coring operations and reinstating core holes.
* Log, trim, and prepare cores in the laboratory for compressive strength testing.
* Support on-site concrete testing activities, including air entrainment, slump testing, and general quality control work.
* Weigh concrete samples in air and water to calculate density and assist with on-site crushing tests.
* Assist with ground investigation testing, including plate loading, CBR testing, and dynamic plate (LWD) testing.
What could the future look like?
When you join PJB Technical Services, the possibilities for your success are limitless. As a successful applicant, you have the potential to secure a full-time position within the company at the conclusion of your apprenticeship.
Through practical, on-the-job training, you will develop new skills and gain the competence and responsibility required for materials testing and analysis. This apprenticeship serves as a stepping stone towards a rewarding career in materials science, with the added opportunity for the apprentice to become a registered Science Technician (RSci Tech).
This programme opens up a variety of career pathways across industries including construction materials, civil engineering, geotechnical investigation, environmental consultancy, and infrastructure development, ensuring your materials science skills are in demand across multiple sectors.
This apprenticeship can also help pave the way for further educational and professional advancement. You may choose to pursue higher-level qualifications through one of our Degree Apprenticeships such as a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Applied Materials Science.
Skills, Knowledge, and Experience
About You
You have a keen interest in maths and science and enjoy applying practical skills to real-world problems. You are willing to travel to different sites as part of your role and have the common sense and initiative to work safely and effectively in both laboratory and site environments.
You are eager to learn, open to new challenges, and keen to develop your skills in materials testing and construction quality assurance. You are comfortable using computers and digital systems as part of your daily work.
While a full driving licence is not required to apply, you must be working towards obtaining one, as travel to various sites will be needed during the apprenticeship.
Experience
We value attitude, curiosity, and commitment just as much as past experience. While previous experience can be helpful, it’s not essential — we welcome applicants from all backgrounds, especially those with a genuine interest in the field and the motivation to build a career.
You might be a school or college leaver, or someone looking to retrain. Either way, if you’re enthusiastic, proactive, and ready to learn, you’ll fit right in.
Qualifications
It’s about enthusiasm, not school results. In our experience the most successful apprentices are those who are driven to find out more about the sector, can be up front about what they do and don’t already know, are considerate, self-reflective, and impatient to learn the job role!
So how does the apprenticeship work?
Over 18 months, 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 Materials Technician apprenticeship.
You’ll be trained by an expert tutor from Tiro as well as an experienced mentor at PJB Technical Services 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.