Location: PJB Technical Services, RAF Brize Norton, Carterton, Oxfordshire, OX18 3LX
Expected Start Date: ASAP
The Package
* Starting salary of £26,000 per year
* Working hours are 37.5 hours per week
* Pension scheme
* Regular training and CPD opportunities
* Flexible shift patterns
* Excellent entry level role for candidates with limited experience
Key Responsibilities
We are pleased to offer an opportunity for a Materials Technician Apprentice to join the team, supporting day‑to‑day laboratory and site operations. This role will involve assisting with routine materials testing, maintaining equipment and work areas, and supporting technicians both in the laboratory and on construction sites where permitted.
* Carry out basic laboratory tasks to support routine materials testing activities.
* Assist with the making and de‑moulding of concrete cubes and beams.
* Maintain clean, organised, and well‑stocked laboratory and store areas.
* Clean, restock, and check testing equipment, ensuring calibration dates are current.
* Support vehicle management by updating tracking systems and confirming daily checks have been completed (as experience develops).
* Assist site teams when permitted and holding the appropriate CSCS card, including supporting coring operations and reinstating core holes.
* Log, trim, and prepare cores in the laboratory for compressive strength testing.
* Support on‑site concrete testing activities, including air entrainment, slump testing, and general quality control work.
* Weigh concrete samples in air and water to calculate density and assist with on‑site crushing tests.
* Assist with ground investigation testing, including plate loading, CBR testing, and dynamic plate (LWD) testing.
About You
You’re naturally curious about how materials behave and enjoy understanding why they perform the way they do, not just following instructions. You take pride in getting things right, paying close attention to detail, and producing accurate, reliable results. Whether you’ve explored science before or are just starting out, you’re motivated to build real knowledge and develop a long‑term career in a materials testing laboratory.
You’re someone who thrives in a structured setting. You like clarity, routine, and knowing what good looks like. Following standardised test methods, working with laboratory equipment, and carefully preparing samples and recording data feels satisfying rather than restrictive. You’re patient, focused, and comfortable repeating precise tasks because you understand that consistency and accuracy are essential for high‑quality results.
You take safety, quality standards, and laboratory procedures seriously, and you approach your work with a calm, methodical mindset. You’re just as comfortable working independently as you are communicating clearly with colleagues, supervisors, and engineers. You’re motivated by analysing results, understanding why materials pass or fail, and progressing over time, building your skills step by step and becoming a trusted expert in materials testing.
Note: While a full driving licence is not required to apply, you must be working towards obtaining one, as travel to various sites will be needed during the apprenticeship.
Apprenticeship Eligibility
To apply for this apprenticeship you must:
* Be 16 or over
* Not be in full‑time education
* Have lived in the UK for at least three years
* Have the right to work in the UK
What your training will look like
Over 20 months, you’ll combine day‑to‑day experience in your role with structured training delivered by expert tutors at Tiro. Our blended learning approach includes a mix of online sessions, in‑person training, and hands‑on support, alongside guidance from a dedicated mentor in the workplace.
You’ll spend at least 6 hours per week on off‑the‑job training, including virtual learning, practical activities, and applied assignments.
What could your future look like
This apprenticeship will help you build the skills and experience needed to start your career as a materials technician and progress within the industry. Through hands‑on training, you’ll develop the competence and confidence to carry out laboratory testing and take on increasing responsibility in your role. This programme can also lead to professional recognition, such as becoming a Registered Science Technician (RSciTech).
You’ll gain experience that’s valued across a wide range of technical and scientific roles, opening up opportunities to grow and specialise in your chosen field. If you choose to continue your development, you may also have the opportunity to progress onto higher‑level qualifications, such as degree apprenticeships in Materials or Chemistry.
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