Construction Materials Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3) - Holcim (Fixed Plant)

Tiro; Devon and Torbay; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 20,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days leave

Site vehicle

Enhanced family benefits

Remote GP

Job summary

Holcim is offering a Construction Materials Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3) at Hillhead Quarry, Devon. This fixed‑plant apprentice role starts in September 2027 with a starting salary of £18,500 per year, 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday with occasional Saturdays.

You will learn testing, analysis and safety while working with fixed plant machinery. You’ll gain hands‑on experience in material processing, quality checking and teamwork, building a long‑term career in construction materials

Qualifications

• Be 18 or over by September 2027
• Not be in full‑time education
• Have lived in the UK for at least 3 years
• Have the right to work in the UK
• Applicants should not already hold a Level 3, degree or higher qualification in a closely related subject, or have significant experience in the same field.

Responsibilities

• Support day‑to‑day operations of the quarry's fixed plant equipment, helping to ensure materials are processed safely and meet the required quality standards.
• Learn how to work safely in a busy quarry environment, following health and safety procedures and understanding how aggregates are extracted and processed.
• Gain hands‑on experience learning about the machinery and equipment used to process materials, including crushers, screens and conveyor systems.
• Learn how materials are monitored and quality‑checked, helping to maintain product standards and accurately record important information. You'll support the team in identifying and reporting equipment or production issues, understanding how problems are resolved and helping to keep operations running safely and efficiently.
• Work closely with experienced colleagues who will coach you as you develop your technical knowledge, practical skills and confidence within the industry.

Job description

Construction Materials Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3) - Holcim (Fixed Plant)

Department: Science Apprenticeship - Materials L3

Employment Type: Apprentice

Location: Devon

Compensation: £18,500 / year

Description

Location: Hillhead Quarry, Clay Lane, Devon, EX15 3EP

Start Date: September 2027

Working for Holcim: Holcim are leaders in supplying innovative, sustainable building solutions to the UK construction industry; building progress for people and the planet.

Since 1858, Holcim have helped shape the UK; powering the construction of homes and hospitals, roads and railways, schools and cities alike.

The mission is to make sustainable construction a reality, through purposeful action that tackles real carbon and climate challenges. Holcim are dedicated to helping Britain grow and thrive - by doing the right thing, doing it together, and making a difference.

About Holcim

The Package

• Starting salary of £18,500 per year (increasing to National Minimum/Living wage after 12 months if applicable), plus bonus
• 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays (with options to increase)
• 40 hours per week
• Monday to Friday (variable shift pattern)
• Saturday required but very infrequently
• Access to site vehicle (Manual operated)
• Enhanced family benefits, including maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• Free 24/7 remote GP service for you and your household

Key Responsibilities

This is a fantastic opportunity to start your career in a hands‑on Technical Apprenticeship at Holcim's Hillhead Quarry in Devon.

You’ll be working alongside experienced colleagues who will support you as you learn how construction materials are extracted, processed and quality‑checked, gaining valuable experience in a busy quarry environment.

This role is perfect for someone who enjoys practical work, problem‑solving and being part of a team that plays an important role in producing the materials used to build our roads, buildings and communities.

You will gain real industry experience, a recognised qualification and the opportunity to build a long‑term career in the construction materials industry.

• In this role, you'll support the day‑to‑day operations of the quarry's fixed plant equipment, helping to ensure materials are processed safely and meet the required quality standards.
• You’ll learn how to work safely in a busy quarry environment, following health and safety procedures and understanding how aggregates are extracted and processed.
• You'll gain hands‑on experience learning about the machinery and equipment used to process materials, including crushers, screens and conveyor systems.
• You’ll learn how materials are monitored and quality‑checked, helping to maintain product standards and accurately record important information. You'll support the team in identifying and reporting equipment or production issues, understanding how problems are resolved and helping to keep operations running safely and efficiently.
• You’ll work closely with experienced colleagues who will coach you as you develop your technical knowledge, practical skills and confidence within the industry.

About You

You're someone who enjoys practical, hands‑on work and being part of a busy working environment, rather than sitting behind a desk. Working outdoors, learning how machinery operates and being involved in the production of construction materials appeals to you. You like understanding how things work and seeing the results of your efforts.

You're reliable, safety‑conscious and detail‑focused. You take pride in following procedures accurately and understand the importance of working safely around machinery and equipment. You're comfortable following clear instructions, working to quality standards and taking responsibility for doing things properly.

You learn best by doing and enjoy working with tools, equipment and machinery. You're confident with basic maths, comfortable recording information and able to stay focused in a busy operational environment. You enjoy being part of a team, communicating clearly with colleagues and developing your independence as you gain experience.

You're motivated by being part of something tangible, understanding how raw materials are transformed into products used across the construction industry. Most importantly, you're enthusiastic about learning new skills and building a long‑term career in the construction materials industry.

Please note: You must be aged 18+ by September 2027 due to the role requirements.

Apprenticeship Eligibility

• Be 18 or over
• Not be in full‑time education
• Have lived in the UK for at least 3 years
• Have the right to work in the UK

Apprenticeships are designed to provide new knowledge, skills and behaviours, so applicants should not already hold a Level 3, degree or higher qualification in a closely related subject, or have significant experience in the same field.

So how does the apprenticeship work?

Start your career as a materials technician and gain hands‑on experience supporting real testing and analysis in a laboratory or technical environment.

As part of this Level 3 Materials Technician apprenticeship, you’ll learn how to carry out tests, analyse data, and contribute to important projects, whether that’s in a laboratory or a more practical, site‑based environment.

Learn more about the programme here. Over 20 months, you’ll combine day‑to‑day experience in your role with structured training delivered by expert tutors at Tiro. Our blended learning approach includes a mix of online sessions, in‑person training, and hands‑on support, alongside guidance from a dedicated mentor in the workplace.

You’ll spend at least 6 hours per week on off‑the‑job training, including virtual learning, practical activities, and applied assignments.

What your training will look like: You’ll follow a structured programme combining live sessions, online learning, and hands‑on workplace training to build your skills step by step.

What could your future look like? This apprenticeship will help you build the skills and experience needed to start your career as a materials technician and progress within the industry.

Through hands‑on training, you’ll develop the competence and confidence to carry out laboratory testing and take on increasing responsibility in your role. This programme can also lead to professional recognition, such as becoming a Registered Science Technician (RSciTech).

You’ll gain experience that’s valued across a wide range of technical and scientific roles, opening up opportunities to grow and specialise in your chosen field.

If you choose to continue your development, you may also have the opportunity to progress onto higher‑level qualifications, such as degree apprenticeships in Materials or Chemistry.