Summary
This role offers the opportunity to explore various aspects of laboratory and research work, with a focus on making a positive impact on end-users and the world around them.
Wage
£22,293 a year
Training course
Laboratory technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday, 9.00am to 5.00pm (flexible start/finish times available).
35 hours a week
Possible start date
Monday 24 February
Duration
1 year 9 months
Positions available
1
Work
As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.
What you’ll do at work
In this role, you’ll play a pivotal role in conducting product assessments and supporting the team in delivering high-quality results. You will follow established processes to ensure accuracy and consistency, whilst also being encouraged to ask questions and suggest improvements! This role offers the opportunity to explore various aspects of laboratory and research work, with a focus on making a positive impact on end-users and the world around them.
* Conduct simple assessments of products in accordance with BS and EN standardized procedures.
* Maintain a focus on the end-user, considering how they interact with products and the cognitive and behavioural impact of design choices.
* Ensure attention to detail in all tasks, including data entry, analysis, and report writing.
* Write basic reports using existing templates and organize data in Excel and Word.
* Interact with customers on a personal level to understand their needs and provide insight into product functionality.
* Demonstrate curiosity and a passion for learning, asking questions to deepen understanding and improve processes.
* Conduct end-user trials, and elicit feedback to relevant parties
* Follow established procedures while contributing innovative ideas to improve workflows and outcomes.
* Spend time in other departments to gain a broader understanding of the organization and participate in structured product testing.
* Ensure that health and safety procedures are followed within the section, identifying and reporting hazards and conducting risk assessments where required – updating the She system when required.
* Provide consistently high quality customer service when dealing with both internal and external customers.
* Conduct all administration to recognised test standards, methodology, FIRA procedures, UKAS and general quality requirements.
* Manage own administration, generating daily, weekly and monthly reports as required.
* General ad hoc requirements as required by the business/teams.
Where you’ll work
Unit 3
Cockerell Close
Stevenage
SG1 2NB
Training
An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.
College or training organisation
TIRO TRAINING LTD
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
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 FIRA International 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!
Requirements
Desirable qualifications
GCSE in:
* English (grade 4 / C)
* Maths (grade 4 / C)
* Science (grade 4 / C)
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
* Team working
* Initiative
Other requirements
Because of the nature and responsibilities in this position, you must be aged 18+ and be willing to undertake some manual handling/heavy lifting.