Description
Location: Wharf St, Aston, Birmingham B6 5SA
Expected Start Date: ASAP
Working for Wieland Metals
Wieland Metals Birmingham is part of the global Wieland Group and is a production site for rolled products, using advanced casting and rolling equipment to supply high-performance copper alloys and small-batch materials. The site combines modern manufacturing technology with a strong focus on quality, consistency and reliability.
As a Materials Technican Apprentice, you'll see materials at different stages of the process, from start to finish. By carrying out testing, inspections and quality checks, you'll help ensure materials meet the required standards before they are supplied to customers, playing an important role in maintaining quality throughout.
The Package
- Starting Salary: National Minimum Wage (depending on age)
- Annual Leave: 25 days plus bank holidays
- Working Hours: 40 hours per week (8 hours per day)
Benefits include:
- Generous sick pay scheme
- Salary sacrifice pension scheme
- Regular pay increases based on performance
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Regular training and CPD opportunities
Key Responsibilities
We are pleased to offer an opportunity for a Materials Technician Apprentice to join the team, supporting day-to-day laboratory activities and learning how materials are tested, analysed and assessed to ensure they meet quality and performance standards.
This apprenticeship provides a strong foundation for a future career in materials testing and laboratory operations, offering opportunities to develop a broad range of practical and technical skills in a supportive environment:
- Learn how to prepare material samples for metallographic examination and assess microstructures against specifications and standards.
- Gain experience carrying out hardness testing, tensile testing and other laboratory tests on materials and finished products.
- Learn how chemical analysis is performed using specialist equipment, including XRF and OES spectrometry.
- Learn how routine solution checks are carried out to monitor and maintain manufacturing processes.
- Develop practical skills using precision measuring equipment, including micrometers and verniers, while carrying out calibration checks.
- Gain experience supporting quality engineering activities, including additional product checks and stress-free shearing tests.
- Learn how to use handheld XRF equipment and other specialist testing tools.
- Carry out water testing and support routine laboratory activities.
- Use Microsoft Office and other business systems to record results, generate reports and extract data.
- Support daily laboratory housekeeping, equipment checks, record retention and archiving activities while maintaining a safe and organised working environment.
About You
You’re naturally curious about how materials behave and enjoy understanding why they perform the way they do, not just following instructions. You take pride in getting things right, paying close attention to detail, and producing accurate, reliable results. Whether you’ve explored science before or are just starting out, you’re motivated to build real knowledge and develop a long-term career in a materials testing laboratory.
You’re proactive in your approach and enjoy getting involved, asking questions and learning new things. You're interested in understanding how different parts of the business work together and would be comfortable dipping into various aspects of the role, whether that's laboratory work, office-based tasks or supporting wider team activities.
You work in a calm and organised way, take safety and quality standards seriously, and understand the importance of accuracy and consistency. You’re just as comfortable working independently as you are communicating with colleagues across the business. Most importantly, you’re keen to learn, develop your skills and build a long-term career within materials testing and laboratory operations.
Apprenticeship Eligibility
To apply for this apprenticeship, you must:
✔️ Be 16 or over
✔️ Not be in full-time education
✔️ Havelived in the UK for at least 3 years
✔️ Have the right to work in the UK
Apprenticeships are designed to provide new knowledge, skills and behaviours, so applicants should not already hold a Level 3, degree or higher qualification in a closely related subject, or have significant experience in the same field.
If you’re unsure whether you meet the criteria, we’d still love to hear from you - get in touch and we can advise you further.
So how does the apprenticeship work?
Start your career as a materials technician and gain hands-on experience supporting real testing and analysis in a laboratory or technical environment.
As part of this Level 3 Materials Technician apprenticeship, you’ll learn how to carry out tests, analyse data, and contribute to important projects, whether that’s in a laboratory or a more practical, site-based environment.
👉 Learn more about the programme
Over 20 months, you’ll combine day-to-day experience in your role with structured training delivered by expert tutors at Tiro. Our blended learning approach includes a mix of online sessions, in-person training, and hands-on support, alongside guidance from a dedicated mentor in the workplace.
You’ll spend at least 6 hours per week on off-the-job training, including virtual learning, practical activities, and applied assignments.
What your training will look like:You’ll follow a structured programme combining live sessions, online learning, and hands-on workplace training to build your skills step by step.
What could your future look like?
This apprenticeship will help you build the skills and experience needed to start your career as a materials technician and progress within the industry.
Through hands-on training, you’ll develop the competence and confidence to carry out laboratory testing and take on increasing responsibility in your role. This programme can also lead to professional recognition, such as becoming a Registered Science Technician (RSciTech).
You’ll gain experience that’s valued across a wide range of technical and scientific roles, opening up opportunities to grow and specialise in your chosen field.
If you choose to continue your development, you may also have the opportunity to progress onto higher-level qualifications, such as degree apprenticeships in Materials or Chemistry.
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.
