Laboratory Technician Apprentice (Level 3) - Continental Bitumen (Colas Group) – Find an apprenticeship

Summary

Join Continental Bitumen, where the team is central to success. This apprenticeship offers practical training, skill-building, and career growth. You’ll gain testing expertise with paths in marine biology, construction, engineering, or R&D. Stand out in a growing field and secure potential full-time employment.

Annual wage: £13,312 to £23,795.20 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Laboratory technician (level 3)
Hours: Working hours are Monday - Friday, varied and flexible shifts
40 hours a week
Possible start date: Monday 3 February
Duration: 1 year 9 months
Positions available: 1

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

Reporting to the Binders & Development Manager, you will be involved in the effective and efficient running of the laboratory, to always observe the safety policies of the company and the department, ensure that all operations carried out within our area of responsibility are undertaken with full regard for the safety of visitors, other members of staff and yourself.

As an Apprentice Laboratory Technician you will perform sampling, be happy to work to variable time patterns and be flexible
You will be involved with safety procedures in the laboratory, undertake quality control work in the laboratory on new deliveries of bitumen and blended batches, assist in maintaining the laboratory facilities in good order, maintain all laboratory records for work undertaken, assist with quality procedures and other projects as required
You oversee that work is carried out speedily, foster and maintain effective communication with terminal operations and carry out other appropriate duties as assigned by your line manager.

Where you’ll work

Avonmouth Docks

Avonmouth

Bristol

BS11 9BT

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

TIRO TRAINING LTD

Your training course

Laboratory technician (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents

Comply with health and safety policies and procedures including HASWA, COSHH, risk assessments, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), manual handling, emergency procedures.
Maintain excellent housekeeping, in accordance with organisation Standard Procedures
Order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required
Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks applying the concepts of resource efficiency e.g energy, water and waste
Adhere to internal and external regulatory requirements e.g. GLP, GMP, GDP
Prepare for, and perform, laboratory experiments, tests or tasks following any specified methodologies to provide reliable, accurate data e.g. weighing, pipetting, filtering, spectroscopic techniques, chromatography techniques
Demonstrate technical competence in the use of specified instruments and equipment
Report faults and seek diagnostic advice to maintain equipment in good working order, including calibration where required
Complete documentation proficiently
Keep accurate records of laboratory work undertaken and results
Contribute to the preparation of reports.
Use simple statistical techniques for data presentation and evaluation e. g calculation of median and standard deviation, production of graphs
Demonstrate problem solving techniques including identification of sources of error and how they can be reduced e.g. human error
Use standard software packages and applications e.g. Microsoft Office suite
Use Laboratory Information Management systems to support their work
Address non-routine problems with samples and instrumentation, within defined areas
Identify relevant information from scientific sources e.g. supervisors, literature etc. in order to contribute to solutions
Participate in continuous performance improvement of systems and processes relevant to the work environment e.g. workplace organisation techniques, accreditation (e.g. ISO, UKAS) and proficiency testing.
Evaluate data, recognise and call attention to anomalous or unusual results
Comply with health and safety policies and procedures including HASWA, COSHH, risk assessments, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), manual handling, emergency procedures.
Maintain excellent housekeeping, in accordance with organisation Standard Procedures
Order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required
Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks applying the concepts of resource efficiency e.g energy, water and waste
Adhere to internal and external regulatory requirements e.g. GLP, GMP, GDP
Prepare for, and perform, laboratory experiments, tests or tasks following any specified methodologies to provide reliable, accurate data e.g. weighing, pipetting, filtering, spectroscopic techniques, chromatography techniques
Demonstrate technical competence in the use of specified instruments and equipment
Report faults and seek diagnostic advice to maintain equipment in good working order, including calibration where required
Complete documentation proficiently
Keep accurate records of laboratory work undertaken and results
Contribute to the preparation of reports.
Use simple statistical techniques for data presentation and evaluation e. g calculation of median and standard deviation, production of graphs
Demonstrate problem solving techniques including identification of sources of error and how they can be reduced e.g. human error
Use standard software packages and applications e.g. Microsoft Office suite
Use Laboratory Information Management systems to support their work
Address non-routine problems with samples and instrumentation, within defined areas
Identify relevant information from scientific sources e.g. supervisors, literature etc. in order to contribute to solutions
Participate in continuous performance improvement of systems and processes relevant to the work environment e.g. workplace organisation techniques, accreditation (e.g. ISO, UKAS) and proficiency testing.
Evaluate data, recognise and call attention to anomalous or unusual results

Your training plan

At Tiro we’re obsessed with changing lives through science and technology apprenticeships so we can’t wait to have you on board.

Over 21 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 Salvum Limited who together, will make sure you develop the knowledge, skills, and work habits you’ll need to succeed in your career.

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

English (grade 4)
Maths (grade 4)
Science (grade 4)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

Skills

Communication skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Team working

Other requirements

Please note, because of the nature and responsibilities of this position, you must be aged 18+, hold a full UK driving license and be comfortable with occasional heavy lifting!

About this company

Continental Bitumen is part of the Colas Group, and we offer a range of services including the trading and supply, shipping, distribution and receivals of Bitumen. Bitumen is a mixture of complex hydrocarbons and small quantities of sulphur, nitrogen, oxygen and trace metals. It is a substance used in a range of industries, including road construction, roofing and insulation. We hold a ‘Gold Investor in People’ award for continuously developing and rewarding out employees, offering excellent career potential. As a business, we hold 3 core values: Caring, Sharing and Daring. We are driven to invest in our employees and encourage them to participate in innovation, moving forward and striving to provide sustainable infrastructure solutions.

https://continentalbitumen.com/ (opens in new tab)

Company benefits

25 days leave + bank holidays Life Assurance - 4 x basic salary Holiday Purchase & Selling Scheme. Discounts on car leasing, holidays, cinema tickets, restaurants & more through our employee benefits portal! Regular training & CPD opportunities.

After this apprenticeship

As a successful applicant, you have the potential to secure a full-time position with the business at the end of your apprenticeship.

Through practical ‘on-the-job’ training you’ll have the opportunity to learn new skills to provide competency and responsibility in carrying out testing and to help develop your career. You can look forward to a range of potential career paths in industries such as marine biology, construction, engineering or research and development. There is a growing demand for skilled professionals who hold this crucial testing experience, used in various sectors!

This apprenticeship program serves as a stepping stone towards a rewarding career in testing, with the added opportunity to become a registered Technician (RSci Tech). This enables you to take on more specialised roles or progress into leadership positions.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

TIRO TRAINING LTD

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000295876.

Apply now

Closes in 12 days (Monday 27 January)

When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.

Company’s application instructions

The link will take you to the application page. Please apply via this page, and a member of our Resourcing Team will be in touch via email!

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Laboratory Technician Apprentice (Level 3) - Continental Bitumen (Colas Group)

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