Description
Location: Site 41, Knowsthorpe Way, Cross Green Industrial Estate, Leeds, LS9 0SW
Working for Sika
Sika is a global leader in speciality chemicals, driving innovation and performance across the construction and industrial manufacturing industries. Since its founding in 1910, Sika has built a reputation as a trusted partner for delivering high-quality solutions that enhance durability, safety, and sustainability in the built environment.
With a strong heritage of expertise and continuous innovation, Sika provides a comprehensive portfolio of products and systems – from roofing, flooring, sealing and bonding, to concrete admixtures and waterproofing. Our robust research and development, combined with rigorous testing and technical support, ensures that Sika solutions meet the highest standards of quality and reliability.
By working closely with clients, contractors, and stakeholders, Sika helps create sustainable value throughout the construction supply chain in the UK and global marketplaces.
The Package
* Starting salary: £27,500 per year
* Monday - Friday, 37.5 hours per week
* 8:00am - 5:00pm (flexible working hours)
* Overtime available (paid at increased rate)
* 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
* Company pension
What will I be doing as a Materials Technician apprentice?
As a Quality Assurance Technician Apprentice, you’ll play a critical role in ensuring products meet the highest standards before they reach customers. You’ll support the QA function through inspections, testing, data validation and cross-department collaboration, directly contributing to product quality, compliance, and continuous improvement across the organisation.
* You’ll carry out daily QC inspections on products and materials, use internal ERP/complaints systems effectively, and share clear updates with relevant departments.
* You’ll learn and perform all QC test methods, complete accurate batch testing, calibrate equipment regularly, and ensure all data entered is correct and consistent.
* You’ll help refine QA processes by updating test procedures, reviewing specifications, supporting equipment decisions, maintaining stock of consumables, and keeping the lab clean and organised.
* You’ll provide cover during holidays, absences, or increased workloads by coordinating with other technicians to ensure continuous support for production.
* You’ll take part in ongoing training and development to build your technical skills, confidence, and understanding of QA practices.
* You will actively engage in personal development, attending relevant training and working towards building your technical expertise, accuracy and overall capability within the QA environment.
You’ll gain experience across multiple departments - including Operations, Planning, R&D and Engineering - giving you strong exposure to the full product lifecycle. You’ll develop hands-on skills in both Certification Testing (high-accuracy, long-term planning and compliance-based testing) and QC Release Testing (efficient, fast-paced testing that supports production flow).
What could the future look like?
When you join Sika, 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
This is a practical, hands-on quality role, so you’ll need to be confident getting involved with inspections, testing and general lab work.
We’re looking for someone who can balance accuracy with working at pace. You should be able to follow procedures carefully, record reliable data, and still keep testing and inspections moving quickly to support production. You’ll be motivated, proactive and ready to adapt when priorities change.
You’ll have good health and safety awareness and be comfortable working to strict QA and H&S requirements in both the lab and operational areas.
No two days will be the same, and you’ll work closely with different teams to help keep quality on track. Clear communication is key—knowing when to ask questions, share updates and work together to solve issues.
To succeed in this apprenticeship, you’ll bring enthusiasm, drive, a willingness to learn, and a strong commitment to doing things right the first time while keeping momentum.
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 Laboratory Technician apprenticeship.
You’ll be trained by an expert tutor from Tiro as well as an experienced mentor at Sika 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.