Department: Science Apprenticeship - Chemistry L3
Location: Essex
Compensation: £19,500 / year
Location: West Thurrock - Navigator Terminals Thames Limited, Oliver Road, West Thurrock, Grays, Essex RM20 3ED
Package
* Starting salary of £19,500/year
* 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays
* Working hours are Monday to Friday 08:00am to 16:00pm
* Employer pension contribution
* Bi-annual salary increase
* Apprentice network / LGTBQ+ network / Woman’s network
What will I be doing as an apprentice?
The Laboratory Technician Level 3 Apprentice role supports the quality and technical performance of materials through routine sampling, testing, and analysis of aggregates, sands, raw materials, and bituminous products in line with required frequencies. The role involves monitoring test results and trends to help identify potential issues and support preventative actions, reporting non-conformities and test failures to technical management, and assisting with preliminary complaint investigations.
The apprentice also provides technical support to internal teams and customers within set guidelines, maintains accurate laboratory data and records, and ensures the laboratory environment and test equipment are properly maintained and within calibration while working towards a recognised apprenticeship standard.
Summary of duties
* Ensure the sampling and testing of all aggregate, sands, incoming raw materials and bituminous materials and bitumen are carried out at the required frequency.
* Assist with the monitoring of analysis and trends following testing of materials and finished products to ensure appropriate preventative action has been taken to maintain quality and technical performance.
* Report all instances of product, test rate failure and non-conformities to technical management.
* Provide technical advice and support to other internal departments as and when required and to customers within set guidelines.
* Input data and operate the laboratory computer database system.
* Carry out preliminary complaint investigations.
* Ensure the laboratory environment and test equipment is well maintained and within calibration.
Please note: Due to the nature of the role and Health & Safety requirements, you must be 18+ to be eligible for this apprenticeship.
What could the future look like?
When you join Jean Lefebvre, 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.
About You
You are detail‑oriented, methodical, and take pride in producing accurate and reliable work. You have a strong interest in science, materials, and quality assurance, with a natural curiosity to understand how products perform and how results impact the wider business. You are comfortable following procedures and standards, while also able to spot trends, identify potential issues, and elevate concerns appropriately.
You work well both independently and as part of a team, communicate clearly with colleagues and stakeholders, and are confident using computer systems to record and analyse data. Organised and proactive, you maintain a clean, safe, and well‑calibrated laboratory environment. You are keen to learn, open to feedback, and motivated to develop your technical knowledge and professional skills through a recognised apprenticeship.
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 upfront 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 to ‘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 Jean Lefebvre 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.
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.
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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr