Description
Location: Units 13 & 14a Valley Road Industrial Estate, Birkenhead, CH41 7EL
Working for Brookes Bell
Brookes Bell provides comprehensive services in the marine and energy world and lead the market in professional expertise and experience across the major maritime and scientific disciplines. We provide specialist advice on a wide range of inter-disciplinary areas including nautical services, marine and energy loss adjusting, metallurgy, inspection and non-destructive testing and marine engineering.
As part of continued business growth, we are looking for a hard-working individual to join the team at our Wirral based laboratory. This role will be within our metallurgical testing services team, but there will be opportunities to interact and work with our Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) teams too. We are a small unit and need someone who will be able to support our operations at various levels.
The Package
* Starting salary of £24,570 per year
* Monday to Friday, 9:00am – 5:30pm
* 22 days annual leave, plus bank holidays (with an additional day awarded for every year of service up to 25 days)
* Company Pension Scheme
* Health Cash Plan
* Death in Service Scheme
* Cycle to Work Scheme
* Electric Vehicle Car Lease Scheme
* Dental Cover
* Employee Helpline
* Eye Tests
* Employee Loans Policy
* Travel Season Ticket Loan Policy
* Subsidised Gym Membership – with PureGym
* Save as You Earn (SAYE)
* Share Incentive Plan (SIP)
For further details of any of the benefits listed above, please contact HR upon joining.
What will I be doing as an apprentice?
The successful applicant will be expected to assist with the day to day operations involved in handling and preparation of metallic samples, including very large engineering items. This role includes routine technical and engineering tasks such as sample sectioning, preparation and machining, operating and maintaining equipment and routine equipment calibration operations. There is also scope for assisting with analysis and experimental procedures. The nature of our inspection services, with collaborative aspects of different departments, will mean on the job training of material science and opportunity to operate advanced analytical/NDT equipment may be required.
We are looking for a candidate who is interested in machining, heavy industry, metalwork or QA/testing services and the role would suit someone with strong problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to a changing and varied work environment.
We are a small team (part of a bigger group), so the ability to be self-motivated and proactive is essential.
Duties & Responsibilities:
* Sample handling, preparation, and testing.
* Assisting with metallurgical forensic investigations.
* Documenting samples and calibrating personal equipment and laboratory equipment.
* Operating equipment such as optical microscopes, chemical analysis equipment and mechanical test equipment.
* Travel to site as part of investigations.
* Admin tasks associated with the position.
* Any other adhoc duties which fall within the individual’s abilities.
What could the future look like?
There’s no limit to what you can achieve while working with Brookes Bell. Their team is at the heart of what they do, and they are looking for someone who wants to play a key part in that long term. 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 construction, engineering, aerospace, automotive or research and development. There is a growing demand for skilled professionals who can ensure the quality and reliability of materials used in various sectors!
This apprenticeship program serves as a stepping stone towards a rewarding career in materials science, with the added opportunity to become a registered Technician (RSci Tech) and paves the way for further educational and professional development such as our Level 6 Bachelor of Science (BSc) Applied Materials Science Apprenticeship. This enables you to take on more specialised roles or progress into leadership positions.
Skills, Knowledge, and Experience
About you
To thrive in this role, you will need:
* Enthusiasm for science and technology, particularly material science.
* The ability to listen and communicate efficiently and effectively.
* The ability to multi-task effectively.
* An appetite to learn lots of different equipment and to be engaged with overall business operations.
* Any practical Engineering or Life Science qualifications or experience would be an additional advantage.
* Experience in the operation of machine tools – lathe, vertical/horizontal milling machine, surface grinder, drilling machine, saws would be beneficial.
Please note, due to the nature of the role, candidates must be aged 18+ and a driving license with access to your own car (or learning to drive/planning to start learning) is preferred.
Experience
Whilst previous experience is great, we at Tiro are always open to wildcards. We’re not just interested in experience and qualifications; we’re looking for someone with the right attitude and aptitude to fit right in at Brookes Bell.
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?
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 Brookes Bell 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’ as in 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 to join ambitious businesses since 2005.
We believe that great apprenticeships help everyone. There are remarkable apprentices out there just waiting to be found, and fantastic employment opportunities waiting to be filled.
Our work will never be just about getting bums on seats and pocketing our commission. In our own small way, we’re helping to change the world – finding people that are working on COVID vaccines, finding new ways for technology to help humanity and helping to tackle the big issues of the day, like climate change. As well as helping people – young and old – to find their way.