Construction Materials Technician Apprentice (Level 3)

Summary

No two days are ever the same with Aggregate Industries. You’ll not only spend time between testing on site and testing in the lab, but you’ll also visit and work at several locations nearby – a great opportunity to meet others to aid professional progression and skill sharing.

Annual wage: £18,500 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Training course: Laboratory technician (level 3)
Hours: Monday to Friday (variable shift pattern). Shifts to be confirmed.
40 hours a week
Possible start date: Tuesday 1 April
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

As an Apprentice Materials Technician you’ll be working in a laboratory, but not as you know it! Be prepared to get mucky as you get to know your materials. This won’t be a sterile environment and requires someone who’s not afraid to get stuck in.

Working alongside some of our existing apprentices and fellow peers, you won’t be alone. You’ll be supported and guided, learning on the job as you go, by a team of other apprentices and experienced materials technicians. 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.

As a member of Aggregate Industries laboratory team, you’ll push construction materials to their limits, ensuring that they’re safe and reliable to use. These materials will need to exist for many years to come without expensive maintenance, without damaging the structure and without endangering human life.

What you’ll be doing:

Working alongside other team members, testing the properties of construction materials including concrete, aggregates, and asphalt.
Improving the performance of existing products, to eliminate faults with materials already in use.
Helping bring materials testing in the 21st century using new technologies (e.g. Switching over to automated processes, new ergonomic equipment or even new recording and reporting systems.)
Developing an understanding, knowledge and practical methods used to examine materials, including non-destructive testing (NDT).
Following testing methods to ensure safety and quality and to support the lab in maintaining its accreditation to operate.
Travelling to and from sites, collecting materials to be tested.

Through training and development provided, you’ll work towards excellence in the following areas:

Undertake 21-month apprenticeship to Level 3.
Ensure all work is undertaken safely in accordance with required processes.
Undertake testing of materials including aggregates, concrete, and asphalt in accordance with required standards, in the laboratory and on construction sites.
Comply with the high standards of work required by the Quality Management Systems to required deadlines.
Maintain equipment to required standards as required by the Laboratory Manager.
Proactively communicate with senior staff to ensure effective communication.
Attend training courses and assessments as required by the apprenticeship standard and maintaining training records.

Please note that due to the nature of this apprenticeship, there will be a requirement to travel and visit multiple sites across Northern England (all travel costs will be covered by Aggregate Industries), as such a driving licence and access to your own car is required.

If you would prefer a local role and are not able to travel regularly for up to 2-3 weeks at a time, please do not apply.

Where you’ll work

Salsburgh

Shotts

ML7 4NZ

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, including Functional Skills in English and maths if required. You’ll be trained by an expert tutor from Tiro as well as an experienced mentor at Aggregate Industries 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!

Requirements

Desirable qualifications

GCSE in:

Maths, English and 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
Problem solving skills
Logical
Team working
Initiative
Patience

About this company

Aggregate industries are one of the leading building materials suppliers. Our aim is to be the UK leader in innovative and sustainable building solutions. We are committed to grounding sustainability in the future of the construction industry. With over 200 sites and around 3,700 dedicated employees, we offer a full range of construction products to help our partners work sustainably, safely, professionally, and profitably. Our people are at the very heart of our business. It’s in how our people build strong partnerships through a shared commitment to sustainability that drives business growth. Our teams can be counted on to add value, make a difference and truly care about what they do. By being supportive and open, we work together, striving for mutual success – and we encourage all our people to be curious and develop their skills.

https://www.aggregate.com/ (opens in new tab)

After this apprenticeship

After completing your Level 3 apprenticeship there are many pathways available to you at Aggregate Industries and beyond. Here are some examples of how your career may progress:

Level 4/5 Technician Scientist apprenticeship
Senior technician (Average salary £29,015/year)
Materials Engineer (Average salary £34,565/year)
Laboratory Manager (Average salary £38,207/year)
Project lead (Salary bonuses)

Our goal is to train you in many aspects of material testing and quality control. Hard work and achievement will be rewarded. Don’t take it from us, hear it from one of our top female Material Testing Apprentices:

“This apprenticeship has given me the opportunity to increase my knowledge within all construction related sectors. Guidance and experience from individuals, such as consultants and principal engineers, has not only helped increase my knowledge, but has also helped me grow professionally and given me the confidence to communicate with people at all levels.” – Kennedy McCarthy.

Ask a question

The contact for this apprenticeship is:

TIRO TRAINING LTD

Emily Rankin

Emily.Rankin@tiro.co.uk

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000297649.

Apply now

Closes on Friday 28 February

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

Company’s application instructions

Please use the link to apply through our website. We will be in touch soon after to arrange a discovery call to chat about the apprenticeship!

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