Summary
We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic individual to join our team as an Apprentice Lab Technician. This is a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a professional laboratory while working towards a nationally recognised qualification.
Wage
£19,137.16 a year
Salary £23,807 per annum, actual salary payable £19,137.16 per annum. Term time only 38 weeks per year
Training course
Laboratory technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday, 36 hours per week, term time only. 08.00 - 16.00
36 hours a week
Start date
Tuesday 28 October 2025
Duration
2 years 3 months
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
* Liaising with staff about requirements for practical’s and planning of assessed practical’s in discussion with departments
* Preparation and laying out of equipment for practical lessons including safe handling of hazardous chemicals and making up solution to precise concentrations
* Testing and basic repairs of equipment
* Construction of equipment, and sourcing equipment for upcoming practical’s. Including monitoring stock levels and purchasing required equipment/ resources
* Aiding in setup of IT equipment including iPads
* Purchasing of appropriate supplies as required
* Completing and updating risk assessment worksheets as required
* Maintaining a safe and tidy work environment, including cleaning up after practical lessons, maintaining equipment, and ensuring tidiness in the lab technicians work base
* To complete relevant health and safety training and update relevant documentation
* To attend meetings and complete mandatory training in accordance with the colleges meeting/training schedule
* To assist at the colleges Open Evenings/Consultation Evenings
* Each member of the College will take reasonable care for the health and safety of himself/herself and persons who may be affected by his/her acts or omissions at work
* To undertake any other duties as may be assigned commensurate with the grade and overall responsibility level of the post and as changing circumstances may require
Where you'll work
Prescot Road
St. Helens
Merseyside
WA10 3AG
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
ST HELENS COLLEGE
Training course
Laboratory technician (level 3)
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
* Laboratory Technician Level 3
* Weekly day release into college environment for a minimum of 6 hours per week
* 4-6 weekly visits in the workplace
* Maths and English functional skills delivery within college environment (if applicable)
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
Maths and English (grade A-C or 4-9)
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
* Logical
* Motivated
* Enthusiastic
* Keen interest in Science