Summary
This apprenticeship role is ideal for someone eager to learn about plastic recycling, quality control, and supplier inspections from the ground up. You will support the commercial teams by ensuring our waste plastic supplies meet the quality standards required for recycling and reuse.
Wage
£16,096.60 to £26,031.72, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
Training course
Laboratory technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday 08:00am-17:00pm (optional overtime) with 2 X 15 minute breaks and 30 minute lunch break, 20 minutes are paid the rest is unpaid.
41 hours a week
Start date
Sunday 1 June 2025
Duration
3 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
In this role, you will:
* Conduct material inspections, collect samples, and attend loadings (containers and trailers).
* Perform tests, analyse results, and complete necessary documentation.
* Travel across the country 3-4 days a week, visiting suppliers and ensuring quality compliance. This is a hands-on role that requires working in the field, getting involved in inspections, and making informed decisions about material quality. You will receive extensive training, learning how to conduct quality tests both in the lab and in real-world settings.
The role offers long-term career growth opportunities in commercial, technical, or training roles within a fast-growing, values-driven industry.
Job Responsibilities
Material Inspections & Quality Control:
* Attend scheduled and ad-hoc loadings to ensure quality and packaging compliance.
* Conduct detailed, hands-on inspections of material quality.
* Identify and reject non-conforming products.
* Collect samples, take photos, and complete post-loading paperwork.
* Inspect materials at supplier and customer facilities.
* Use tools like Near Infrared (NIR), micrometers, and magnets for quality testing.
Supplier & Risk Management:
* Conduct supplier inspections and assess processing quality control.
* Identify potential contamination or quality variances before issues arise.
* Engage in risk management by proactively addressing non-conformances.
* Provide detailed feedback to account managers regarding inspections.
* Investigate and report on non-conformances, introducing corrective actions when needed.
Communication & Teamwork:
* Build strong working relationships with suppliers, account managers, and team members.
* Communicate inspection results clearly and in a timely manner.
* Identify commercial opportunities and share insights with the team.
* Participate in continuous learning and skill development
What You’ll Gain:
* Hands-on experience in plastic recycling, quality control, and supplier validation.
* Training in industry-specific testing equipment and quality assurance techniques.
* Experience working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with career progression opportunities.
Candidate Requirements:
* Interest in quality assurance, procurement, or supply chain management.
* Prior work experience or education in a relevant field is beneficial but not required.
* A valid driving license (due to travel requirements).
Personal Qualities:
* Strong attention to detail and analytical thinking.
* Ability to work independently and manage time effectively.
* Good communication skills, able to engage professionally with suppliers and colleagues.
* Comfortable using Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Outlook, Word).
* Willingness to learn and take initiative in solving problems
Where you’ll work
31A Aaron Road
Whittlesey
Peterborough
PE7 2EX
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
College or training organisation
COGENT SSC 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
* This apprenticeship will be a blended mixture online and in person learning
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
* minimum 5 including maths, English and science (grade 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
* Attention to detail
* Problem solving skills
* Analytical skills
* Logical
* Initiative
* Patience