Description
Location: Centurion House, Olympus Park, Quedgeley, Gloucester, GL2 4NF
Working for Geotechnical Engineering Ltd
Established in 1961, we are the UK’s largest, privately owned, independent, ground investigation contractor, providing quality geotechnical and geo-environmental data throughout the UK. We deliver an extensive range of ground investigation services for the purpose of informing on the physical and engineering properties of the ground (soil & rock), and any potential contamination issues. Our offering is complemented by a dedicated surveying team that provide utility tracing and detection services and our in-house, accredited soil and rock testing laboratory.
Our investment in research & development and our innovative approach to rig and plant development and use of information technologies differentiates us from our competition. We welcome the prospect to engage with you at the earliest opportunity to advise and assist in the site investigation planning and provide a cost-effective approach. We pride ourselves on our delivery of robust, quality data to help mitigate the ground risks associated with your project.
We are now looking for a Site Technician Apprentice (Level 3) to join our Engineering team!
The Package
* Starting salary: £20,500 per annum (£8.76 per hour, raising to National Minimum Wage/National Living Wage after 12 months if applicable)
* Working hours: 45 hours per week, core working hours are 8am – 5pm, Monday to Friday
* Higher rate paid for out of hours overtime
* 20 days annual leave + bank holidays
* Business closure at Christmas
* Regular training & CPD opportunities
What will I be doing as an apprentice?
As a Site Technician Apprentice with Geotechnical Engineering Ltd, you’ll get paid to explore the outdoors! This hands-on role takes you across the UK where you’ll be testing water, gas and soil at different sites – like old industrial land, roads, railways and airports.
This role will take you all over the country, travelling to multiple different sites and locations.
Your day-to-day tasks will include:
* Technically challenging monitoring work across the UK, including (but not restricted to):
- Water sampling and purging
- Gas and groundwater Monitoring
- Gas sampling
- Installing and maintaining Data Collection Instrumentation
- Using Global Positioning Systems
- Undertake in-situ Site Investigational techniques
* Work on brownfield and greenfield sites, contaminated land, roads, railways and airports, utility sites; variation of large long-term projects and small short-term projects both locally and nationally
* Occasional nightshift working (dependent on demand)
This apprenticeship offers an exciting step into a long-term career within Earth Sciences! Full training is provided – just bring your curiosity and a willingness to get stuck in!
What could the future look like?
When you join Geotechnical Engineering Ltd, 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
We are looking for a motivated and detail-oriented individual with a passion for laboratory work environmental testing. The ideal candidate will have:
* A keen interest in laboratory work and geo-environmental materials testing, with an inquisitive mind and a passion for learning!
* Strong attention to detail and accuracy is crucial in this role, to ensure you ascertain high-quality data and results.
* A responsible and professional approach to working, with an understanding of the importance of health & safety and procedures.
* You’ll have the ability to multi-task and manage multiple demands and deadlines effectively and be confident working under pressure in a fast paced environment!
* A flexible and adaptable approach, as you’ll be travelling around the UK to visit sites, sometimes on short notice!
* Fantastic communication skills with clients and team members of all levels.
Please note, because of the site-based nature of this position, you must be aged 18+, living within 45 minutes to office and hold a valid Manual UK Driving License.
You must also be comfortable with occasional heavy lifting and working in all weather conditions, and travel.
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 Geotechnical Engineering Ltd 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 18, not in full time education, have lived in the UK for 3 years and have the right to work in the UK.
Please note, because of the site-based nature of this position, you must be aged 18+, living within 45 minutes to office and hold a valid Manual UK Driving License.
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.