Materials Technician Apprentice - Castleford, England - Tiro

Description

Department:
Science Apprenticeship - Materials L3

Location:
Castleford

Compensation:
£20,800 - £25,396 / year

Description
Location:
Lumley Street, Castleford, West Yorkshire, WF10 5LB

Working for White Rose Laboratory Services Ltd
White Rose Laboratory Services Ltd is a small independent testing laboratory formed in 2014. UKAS-accredited, they offer high-quality testing services to clients as well as establishing good relationships with many subcontract laboratories, to provide a comprehensive construction testing and sampling service.

In this role, you'll be a key player in in ensuring the quality of soils, aggregates, and concrete meet the clients' contractual obligations. These materials must be tested so that the engineers can have confidence that the finished project will work as the project designers intended.

With that in mind White Rose Laboratory Services are looking for anyone who has a keen interest in science and isn't afraid to get stuck in to guarantee the quality of materials being used on sites at their materials testing laboratory, located on the A655 (Lumley Street) in the Hightown area of Castleford.

The Package

• Starting salary of £20,800 - £25,396 per year (depending on age)
• Workings hours are 40hours per week
• Overtime available
• Company pension scheme
• Regular training and CPD opportunities

What will I be doing as an apprentice?
We are pleased to offer an opportunity for a Materials Testing Apprentice to join our team, supporting the day-to-day laboratory testing of construction materials including concrete, aggregates, and soils. This hands-on role will involve performing tests in accordance with standard procedures, calculating results, and assisting in the preparation of reports. Some tasks are physically demanding and may involve lifting sample bags weighing up to 20kg.

This apprenticeship provides a strong foundation for a future career in construction materials testing, offering opportunities to develop both practical and technical skills in a supportive environment. You will learn how to carry out a variety of tests to assess compliance with British, European, or site-specific specifications, while gaining an understanding of laboratory quality systems and UKAS accreditation requirements. Working alongside experienced technicians, you will be guided through producing accurate factual reports, maintaining high standards of safety and compliance, and communicating effectively within a collaborative team.

Summary of duties:

• Learn and perform tests on construction materials including concrete, aggregates, and soils in accordance with standard procedures.
• Calculate and record test results accurately and submit them for review and reporting.
• Shadow experienced technicians to gain hands-on experience and build practical skills.
• Carry out laboratory testing to assess compliance with relevant British, European, and project-specific specifications.
• Maintain high standards of work in line with UKAS accreditation requirements.
• Follow the laboratory's quality management system and develop an understanding of materials reporting processes.
• Produce clear and accurate factual reports to support project teams and managers.
• Communicate proactively with colleagues to ensure smooth workflow and effective teamwork.
• Comply with all laboratory and site health and safety procedures.
• Assist with the handling and lifting of material samples (up to 20kg) safely and efficiently.
• Work as part of a supportive, close-knit team and engage in on-the-job learning to achieve relevant qualifications.

What could the future look like?
When you join White Rose Laboratories Ltd, 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, on-the-job training, you will develop new skills and gain the competence and responsibility required for materials testing and analysis. This apprenticeship serves as a stepping stone towards a rewarding career in materials science, with the added opportunity for the apprentice to become a registered Science Technician (RSci Tech).

This programme opens up a variety of career pathways across industries including construction materials, civil engineering, geotechnical investigation, environmental consultancy, and infrastructure development, ensuring your materials science skills are in demand across multiple sectors.

This apprenticeship can also help pave the way for further educational and professional advancement. You may choose to pursue higher-level qualifications through one of our Degree Apprenticeships such as a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Applied Materials Science.

Skills, Knowledge, and Experience
About You
This is a hands-on and practical role, so you should be ready to roll up your sleeves and get involved. We're looking for someone who is reliable, motivated, and eager to learn. You'll have a keen eye for detail, follow instructions carefully, and take pride in producing accurate results that meet the needs of our customers.

You'll be naturally curious about how things work, with an interest in science, technology, or construction. You won't be afraid to ask questions, share ideas, and contribute to the team. To succeed in this apprenticeship, you'll bring plenty of enthusiasm, a positive attitude, and a genuine hunger to develop your skills and knowledge.

Most importantly, you'll be ready to take the first step into a career that can grow with you – supported by experienced colleagues who want to see you succeed.

Please note: you must be 18 years or older to apply, due to insurance requirements and the use of chemicals in the laboratory.
Experience
We value attitude, curiosity, and commitment just as much as past experience. While previous 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 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 Materials Technician apprenticeship.

You'll be trained by an expert tutor from Tiro as well as an experienced mentor at White Rose Laboratories Ltd
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.

Please note: you must be 18 years or older to apply, due to insurance requirements and the use of chemicals in the laboratory.
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.