Description
Location: Bretby Business Park Ashby Rd E, Burton upon Trent, DE15 0YZ
Working for SOCOTEC
Here at SOCOTEC UK, we have over 2,000 colleagues across our divisions delivering world-class services to our customers. We provide an unrivalled range of testing, inspection, and certification services throughout the UK, and we deliver excellence to our customers by recruiting and retaining the very best industry talent.
We offer transversal career pathways as well as linear pathways, and we will support you in attaining a portfolio career in one place. Not to mention the possibility of working locally, nationally, or globally, in the office or remotely. We are committed to your personal and professional development, and you will be supported in every step of your journey with us.
See more about SOCOTEC here: Building Trust for a Safer and Sustainable World | SOCOTEC UK
The Package
* Starting salary of £19,000/year (increasing to at least NMW for your age group after the first 12 months of training).
* 25 days holiday with the opportunity to buy more.
* Electric car scheme (where applicable).
* Employee recognition schemes.
* Family friendly support.
* Employee benefits and discounts app.
* Employee assistance programmes.
* Enhanced company pension.
What will I be doing as an apprentice?
We are excited to offer an opportunity for an Apprentice Laboratory Technician to join our Infrastructure division, supporting specialist teams with the testing and monitoring of building foundations across a range of projects. This fixed-term apprenticeship provides hands-on experience in a specialised coatings and materials environment, where you will assist with sample analysis, reporting, and essential laboratory support activities.
With guidance and mentoring from experienced professionals, you will develop practical technical skills, gain valuable industry knowledge, and build a strong foundation for a successful career in laboratory and infrastructure services within a supportive and progressive organisation.
Summary of duties
* Carry out assigned tasks and effectively prioritise workload to ensure customer samples are received, logged, analysed, and reported in a timely and efficient manner.
* Support the preparation, testing, and monitoring of samples in accordance with laboratory procedures and quality standards.
* Produce clear and accurate reports for both internal and external clients, ensuring all data is recorded and presented correctly.
* Undertake laboratory supporting activities, including internal calibration checks on thermometers, fridges, and laboratory instruments, and maintain accurate records of all checks.
* Assist with the maintenance of laboratory equipment and ensure work areas are clean, organised, and compliant with health and safety requirements.
* Accurately record test results, observations, and documentation in line with company and regulatory standards.
* Work collaboratively with laboratory staff and technical specialists to support ongoing projects and meet deadlines.
* Follow established quality, safety, and environmental procedures at all times.
* Support general laboratory operations and administrative tasks as required to ensure smooth day-to-day workflow.
What could the future look like?
When you join SOCOTEC, 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 training on the job, you will acquire new skills and gain the competence and responsibility required for laboratory testing. This apprenticeship program serves as a stepping stone towards a rewarding career in laboratory testing, with the added opportunity for the apprentice to become a registered Science technician (RSci Tech).
This program unlocks a multitude of career paths, granting you access to diverse organisations across various sectors. Whether it's the chemical and pharmaceutical industries (primary and secondary), biotechnology companies, nuclear enterprises, analytical science services, or educational institutions, the doors are wide open.
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 Applied Materials Science or Applied Chemical Science.
Skills, Knowledge, and Experience
About You
You are a motivated and enthusiastic individual who thrives in a hands-on, fast-paced environment. You can work well both independently and as part of a team, keeping a clear focus on deadlines and ensuring tasks are completed efficiently.
You demonstrate excellent timekeeping and are reliable in managing your workload. With strong customer service skills, you are able to communicate effectively, maintain professionalism, and support client needs.
You are eager to learn, develop your technical skills, and build a rewarding career in laboratory and infrastructure services.
Experience
We value attitude, curiosity, and commitment just as much as past experience. While previous science 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 Laboratory Technician apprenticeship.
You’ll be trained by an expert tutor from Tiro as well as an experienced mentor at SOCOTEC 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.