Construction Materials Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3) - Holcim (Operational)

Tiro; Thurrock; On-site; GBP 17,000 - 20,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Bank holidays

Access to site vehicle

Enhanced family benefits

Free 24/7 remote GP service

Job summary

Holcim’s Science Apprenticeship – Materials L3 at Purfleet-on-Thames offers hands‑on work in asphalt production. You’ll learn how materials are produced, tested and managed to meet quality standards, supported by experienced colleagues and a structured training program.

Starting September 2027, the role runs 40 hours per week, with a typical Monday–Friday pattern and occasional Saturdays. It includes a starting salary of £18,500 per year, with generous annual leave and family benefits as part of

Qualifications

• 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

Responsibilities

• Support day‑to‑day operations of the asphalt production facility to ensure materials meet quality and safety standards
• Learn to work safely in a busy production environment and follow health and safety procedures
• Gain hands-on experience with production, handling and movement of construction materials
• Learn how materials are sampled and quality-checked and how to record important information
• Support the team in identifying and reporting issues to keep operations running safely and efficiently
• Receive coaching from experienced colleagues to develop technical knowledge and practical skills

Job description

Department: Science Apprenticeship - Materials L3

Location: Purfleet-on-Thames

Compensation: £18,500 / year

Address

Off Jurgen Rd, London Rd, Purfleet, RM19 1UA

Start Date

September 2027

About 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.

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 Purfleet Asphalt facility. You'll be working alongside experienced colleagues who will support you as you learn how asphalt and other construction materials are produced, handled and quality-checked. 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 and maintain our roads 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 our asphalt production facility, helping to ensure materials meet the required quality and safety standards.
• You’ll learn how to work safely in a busy production environment, following health and safety procedures and understanding how asphalt is manufactured.
• You’ll gain hands‑on experience supporting the production, handling and movement of construction materials, developing an understanding of the equipment and processes involved.
• You’ll learn how materials are sampled and quality‑checked, helping to monitor product standards and accurately record important information.
• You’ll support the team in identifying and reporting any 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 operational environment, rather than sitting behind a desk. Working around machinery, learning how materials are produced and being involved in the day‑to‑day running of an asphalt production facility appeals to you. You like understanding how things work and playing a role in producing the materials used to build and maintain our roads and infrastructure.

You’re reliable, safety‑conscious and detail‑focused. You take pride in following procedures accurately, whether that’s supporting production processes, checking materials or recording important information. You understand that quality and safety are essential in a busy production environment, and you're comfortable following clear standards without cutting corners.

You learn best by doing and enjoy working with equipment, tools and machinery. You're confident with basic maths, comfortable recording information and able to stay focused in a fast‑paced environment. You enjoy working as part of a team, communicating clearly with colleagues and taking responsibility for your work as your confidence and skills develop.

You’re motivated by being part of something tangible, seeing how construction materials are produced and understanding the important role they play in major infrastructure projects. 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+ and hold a full UK manual driving license by September 2027 due to the role requirements.

Apprenticeship Eligibility

To Apply For This Apprenticeship, You Must

• 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.