Laboratory Materials Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3) - PJB Technical Services

Laboratory Materials Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3) - PJB Technical Services

Department: Science Apprenticeship - Materials L3

Employment Type: Apprentice

Location: Oxfordshire

Compensation: £26,000 / year

Description

Location: PJB Technical Services, RAF Brize Norton, Carterton, Oxfordshire, OX18 3LX

Expected Start Date: ASAP

The Package

• Starting salary of £26,000/year
• Workings 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.

• 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.

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.

Applicants must be working toward obtaining a full driving licence, as travel to various sites will be required during the apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship Eligibility

• Be 16 or over
• Not be in full-time education
• Have lived in the UK for at least 3 years
• Have the right to work in the UK

So how does the apprenticeship work?

Start your career as a materials technician and gain hands on experience supporting real testing and analysis in a laboratory or technical environment.

As part of this Level 3 Materials Technician apprenticeship, you'll learn how to carry out tests, analyse data, and contribute to important projects, whether that's in a laboratory or a more practical, site based environment.

Over 20 months, you'll combine day to day experience in your role with structured training delivered by expert tutors at Tiro.

You'll spend at least 6 hours per week on off the job training, including virtual learning, practical activities, and applied assignments.

You'll follow a structured programme combining live sessions, online learning, and hands on workplace training to build your skills step by step.

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.

You may also have the opportunity to progress onto higher level qualifications, such as degree apprenticeships in Materials or Chemistry.