Department: Science Apprenticeship - Polymer Processing Technician L3 Location: Dorset Compensation: £14,919 - £22,823 / year Description Location: 25 Black Moor Road, Ebblake Industrial Estate, Verwood, Dorset, BH31 6BE Working for Global Filters We are a full-service plastic injection moulding business that has been delighting our customers around the globe for over 35 years. We are experts in overmoulding plastic filters of all shapes, sizes, types and materials. We use our deep knowledge and experience to help our customers meet their filtration requirements. But we are about more than just filters – we are your partner for ALL your plastic moulded parts. Moulding filters is technically challenging, which has made us highly-skilled moulders. We deliver high-quality, cost-effective moulded parts of all kinds for demanding applications, with the mould tooling too. Our customers already know there’s more to us than filters – in fact about half our business is now in non-filter mouldings: mating parts, plain parts, insert mouldings, overmouldings and assemblies. The Package Starting salary of £14,919/year to £22,823/year (dependent on age and experience) Salary will increase to NMW for your age group after the first 12 months of the apprenticeship 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays Workings hours are 38 hours per week Monday to Thursday - 8:30am to 5:00pm Fridays - 8:30am to 3:00pm Group personal pension scheme Company sick pay scheme (after qualifying period) Free on-site parking What will I be doing as an apprentice? We are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for an Apprentice Process Setter to join our Day Shift setting team, supporting the preparation, setup, and start-up of moulding machines to ensure safe, efficient, and reliable production. Working closely with experienced Setters and the Shift Leader, you will play a key role in delivering the daily production plan while minimising downtime and maintaining high standards of quality and safety. This apprenticeship provides an excellent foundation for a career in injection moulding and manufacturing operations. You will gain hands-on experience in tool changes, process setup, troubleshooting, and production optimisation while developing valuable technical, operational, and problem-solving skills. With full training and support, you’ll have the opportunity to grow your expertise in a structured and collaborative environment. Due to the use of mechanical machinery, you must be 18 in order to be suitable for this apprenticeship. Summary of duties: Health & Safety: Follow all company health and safety procedures, use personal protective equipment (PPE) correctly, and report any safety concerns to maintain a safe working environment. Mould Tool Preparation: Assist with mounting, removing, and preparing mould tools and auxiliary equipment to ensure efficient and safe production. Process Setup & Optimisation: Support the setup of moulding processes, monitor production performance, and adjust settings under guidance to maintain quality and efficiency. Troubleshooting: Identify and help resolve moulding issues such as flash, contamination, or slow cycles to minimise downtime and prevent reoccurrence. Documentation: Complete production records, tool change logs, and process adjustment reports accurately and in line with company procedures. Production Planning: Organise and prioritise tasks to meet daily production schedules, supporting minimal tool change times and smooth operations. Collaboration: Work closely with other departments, including Tooling, Engineering, and Quality, to ensure efficient and effective moulding operations. General Equipment Support: Conduct routine inspections of machinery and auxiliary equipment, report any issues, and assist with general tasks to support continuous production. This role provides a comprehensive learning experience, allowing you to develop technical, operational, and problem-solving skills in a supportive and structured environment. What could the future look like? When you join Global Filters, 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 manufacturing and process operations. This apprenticeship programme serves as a stepping stone towards a rewarding career in polymer processing, with the added opportunity for the apprentice to become a registered Science or Engineering Technician (RSci/Eng Tech). This apprenticeship offers opportunities for professional growth, enabling you to specialise in areas such as polymer formulation, process optimisation, quality control, or equipment maintenance, and to progress into supervisory or leadership roles within the polymer manufacturing environment. Skills, Knowledge, and Experience About You We are looking for someone who brings a combination of curiosity, focus, and a hands-on attitude to learning. A strong fit for this role will be motivated to develop technical skills and take pride in working safely and efficiently in a team environment. Attention to detail is essential, as the role involves precise setup of moulding processes and careful monitoring of equipment performance. You should enjoy problem-solving, learning by doing, and collaborating with others to maintain smooth production. Being proactive and taking ownership of your tasks—while following established procedures and safety guidelines—is key. A mindset geared towards continuous improvement, noticing small details that can make a big difference, and asking questions to deepen your understanding will help you thrive. Interest in mechanical or technical processes, manufacturing, or engineering is highly valuable, as is a willingness to engage fully in your apprenticeship training and practical on-the-job learning. The role also requires comfort in a regulated, safety-focused environment and the ability to follow structured processes while staying adaptable to production needs. Practical requirements include being at least 18 years old and able to participate in the company’s health and safety procedures and training programmes. Overall, this role is ideal for someone enthusiastic about developing technical expertise, committed to safety, and excited to contribute to a collaborative, high-performing production team. Experience We value attitude, curiosity, and commitment just as much as past experience. While previous manufacturing 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 22 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 Polymer Processing Technician apprenticeship. You’ll be trained by an expert tutor from Tiro as well as an experienced mentor at Global Filters 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. 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.