Description
Location: West Thurrock - Navigator Terminals Thames Limited, Oliver Road, West Thurrock, Grays, Essex RM20 3ED.
Working for PolyBitumes (Eurovia)
PolyBitumens is a modern, energy efficient facility with fully automated processes which produces high quality products that are designed specifically for UK highways and our changing climate.
Our dedicated in-house lab uses Eurovia’s worldwide expertise gained from tried and tested innovations to develop solutions for you, today and in the future. Using specialist technology we tailor our chemistry to suit climatic conditions and provide sustainable, optimal performance. We are proud to be a leader in developing Modified and Emulsified Bitumen products, and we would like to share with you our expertise in UK Highways.
The Package
* Starting salary of £19,500/year
* 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays
* Workings 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 Operations Apprentice role focuses on developing the skills and knowledge required to safely carry out core manufacturing activities within the PolyBitumens plant. This includes the safe receipt, storage, heating, blending, and dispatch of bitumen, polymer-modified bitumen (PMB), and bitumen emulsion products, while completing a recognised apprenticeship standard.
The role builds strong capability in health and safety, quality control, process operations, logistics coordination, and basic maintenance to support efficient and compliant plant operations.
Summary of duties:
Health, Safety & Environment (HS&E)
* Follow site safety rules, permit-to-work, lockout/tagout (LOTO), confined space, and hot work controls.
* Conduct dynamic risk assessments, point-of-work safety checks, and report near-misses/hazards.
* Use correct PPE; maintain good housekeeping (5S).
* Support spill prevention/response, waste segregation, and environmental monitoring (bunds, drains, emissions).
* Participate in toolbox talks, safety briefings, and incident learning reviews.
Process Operations
* Assist with safe receipt of feedstocks (bitumen and additives) via road/tanker, including sampling, temperature checks, and transfer line setup.
* Operate heating systems, circulation, blending, and agitation processes within defined parameters.
* Execute batch blending to production orders and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
* Complete routine tank gauging, valve line-ups, and product changeovers.
* Prepare and load dispatch tankers, including pre-loading checks, and documentation.
* Support start-up/shutdown procedures and process isolations under supervision.
Quality & Laboratory Interface
* Take representative product samples under guidance.
* Interpret results against product specifications; escalate non-conformances.
* Support corrective actions (re-blend, re-heat, quarantine, lab re-test).
* Maintain sample retention.
Maintenance & Asset Care
* Perform first-line checks (levels, leaks, temperatures, gauges, filters, strainers).
* Complete basic preventive maintenance tasks and lubrication schedules where trained.
* Raise work orders/defects, support contractors and maintenance teams during planned works.
* Understand and apply equipment isolation/LOTO and permit compliance.
Logistics & Systems
* Coordinate with planning, transport, and commercial teams for inbound/outbound schedules.
* Use systems to record movements, batch IDs, stock reconciliations, and delivery paperwork.
* Support stock management: daily/weekly tank reconciliations, ullage checks, stock variance investigations.
Continuous Improvement
* Contribute ideas to reduce waste, rework, and energy consumption (e.g., heat loss, insulation checks, heat-up curves).
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 PolyBitumes (Eurovia), 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 process manufacturing, 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 process optimisation, quality control, or maintenance, and to progress into supervisory or leadership roles within the manufacturing environment.
Skills, Knowledge, and Experience
About You
You’ll have a strong safety mindset, paying close attention to detail and following procedures at all times. You’ll be willing to work in a physical, sometimes hot process environment and outdoors when required, approaching tasks with reliability and professionalism. Numerate and accurate, you’ll be comfortable with record-keeping and communicating effectively with others. A dependable team player, you’ll be punctual, proactive, and keen to contribute.
Ideally, you’ll also have a basic understanding of mechanical or process environments, along with some familiarity with MS Office and an interest in data and trends. You’ll bring a curious, problem-solving mindset and a genuine willingness to learn and develop new skills.
Please note: Due to the nature of the role and Health & Safety requirements, you must be 18+ to be eligible for this apprenticeship.
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 Process Industry Manufacturing Technician apprenticeship.
You’ll be trained by an expert tutor from Tiro as well as an experienced mentor at PolyBitumes (Eurovia) 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.
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.