Summary
Join a high-achieving science department in an outstanding Ofsted-rated sixth form college as a Laboratory Technician Apprentice. Gain hands-on experience, develop essential skills and support practical lessons in a dynamic learning environment. This apprenticeship offers a great start to a career in science.
Wage
£14,526.20 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
At the end of the first year, the salary will rise to National Minimum Wage/National Living Wage, dependent on the age of the successful candidate
Training course
Laboratory technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 8:30am - 4:00pm Friday Half an hour unpaid for lunch each day
37 hours a week
Start date
Monday 28 April 2025
Duration
2 years
Positions available
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you’ll do at work
Under supervision of the team, the apprentice will:
* Prepare for, and clear away after, practical classes including reclamation of parts and materials as necessary, cleaning and checking of equipment, glassware etc.
* Assist pupils and teaching staff during practical classes including demonstration of skills, techniques and equipment, provision of advice etc., at an appropriate level
* Assist teaching staff as directed in the preparatory work for examinations
* Prepare teaching aids and displays including video recording and showing of programmes, setting up of audio-visual equipment
* Repair, maintain and install equipment and tools, as appropriate
* Undertake storekeeping duties including the receipt and issue of materials and equipment and assisting in the completion of associated administrative and clerical work (e.g. preparation of orders, clearance of invoices, records of expenditure)
* Maintain preparation and storage rooms and areas in a clean and tidy condition
Where you’ll work
Hereford Sixth Form College Folly Lane
Hereford
Herefordshire
HR1 1LU
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
College or training organisation
CSR SCIENTIFIC TRAINING LIMITED
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
Through the training provider, CSR Scientific Training, you will undertake a Level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship which will include:
* Fully recognised apprenticeship qualification - Level 3 Laboratory Technician
* On-the-job competency training
* Theoretical knowledge - BTEC Level 3 Applied Science (if required)
The majority of your learning will be completed online once a week with some face-to-face practical sessions/exams in Birmingham (if BTEC is included).
Upon successful completion, apprentices can apply for professional registration as a Registered Science Technician, RSciTech, with either the Royal Society of Chemistry or Royal Society of Biology.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
* x 5 including Maths, English and Science (grade C/4 or above)
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
* IT skills
* Attention to detail
* Organisation skills
* Problem solving skills
* Administrative skills
* Number skills
* Logical
* Team working
* Initiative
* Non judgemental
Other requirements
The position is subject to the following pre-employment training and checks: •Safeguarding training •Equality and diversity training •Prevent Duty training •Data protection training •Two satisfactory references •Enhanced DBS check