Laboratory Materials Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3) - Geotechnics

Tiro; Coventry; On-site; GBP 16,000 - 20,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension Scheme

CPD opportunities

Job summary

Geotechnics is a Coventry-based geotechnical engineering company offering a Level 3 Materials Technician apprenticeship. You will work in the laboratory, perform soil testing, and gain hands-on experience under supervision, developing practical and technical skills through a structured training programme.

Over 20 months you’ll combine day‑to‑day lab work with online and in‑person training, spend time on off‑the‑job learning, and work toward professional recognition such as RSciTech while

Qualifications

• Undertaking a varied schedule of laboratory test preparation and testing procedures on soils.
• Accurately completing test sheets with all necessary data before they are released for calculation.
• Cleaning testing equipment and tools after each test and ensuring calibration markings are intact and valid.
• Booking in, logging and cataloguing samples as they arrive into the stores.
• Returning samples from the laboratory to the stores, re-cataloguing and disposing of samples in accordance with the required procedures.
• Complying with relevant health and safety regulations and helping to promote a strong safety culture within the laboratory team.
• Participating in and completing the relevant training programme and carrying out other relevant duties as required by your line manager.

Responsibilities

• Undertaking a varied schedule of laboratory test preparation and testing procedures on soils to the required standards.
• Accurately completing test sheets with all necessary data before they are released for calculation.
• Cleaning testing equipment and tools after each test and ensuring calibration markings are intact and valid.
• Booking in, systematically logging and cataloguing samples as they arrive into the stores. Receiving sample schedules from the laboratory and/or engineers and retrieving the required samples for laboratory testing.
• Sorting and arranging the delivery of samples for subcontract testing, including specialist concrete design, BRE and asbestos screen testing.
• Returning samples from the laboratory to the stores, re-cataloguing and disposing of samples in accordance with the required procedures.
• Building and maintaining good relationships with others in the Laboratory.
• Complying with relevant health and safety regulations and helping to promote a strong safety culture within the laboratory team.
• Participating in and completing the relevant training programme and carrying out other relevant duties as required by your line manager.

Job description

Laboratory Materials Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3) - Geotechnics

Department: Science Apprenticeship - Materials L3

Employment Type: Apprentice

Location: Coventry

Compensation: £18,000 / year

Description

Location: 203 Torrington Avenue, Tile Hill, Coventry, CV4 9UT

Working for Geotechnics

Geotechnics is a leading company in the field of geotechnical engineering, based in Coventry. We offer a range of services, including site investigation, consultancy, and laboratory testing. Our laboratory is UKAS accredited and can provide reliable and accurate data for various purposes.

One of our main laboratory services is soil testing, which is essential for the design and construction of foundations, slopes, roads and earthworks. We can perform soil classification tests to identify the type and properties of the soil, as well as strength and compressibility tests to determine the bearing capacity and settlement potential of the soil.

The Package

• Starting salary of £18,000 per year (increasing to National Minimum/Living Wage after the first 12 months)


• Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 4:00PM


• 37.5 hours per week


• Annual leave: 28 days (3 days reserved for the Christmas period), plus bank holidays.


• Pension Scheme


• Regular training and CPD opportunities

Key Responsibilities

We are pleased to offer an opportunity for a Materials Technician Apprentice to join the team, reporting to Senior Technicians and the Laboratory Manager. You will support the day-to-day running of the laboratory, gaining hands‑on experience in materials testing while developing a broad range of practical and technical skills through a structured training programme.

As part of your apprenticeship, your responsibilities will include:

• Undertaking a varied schedule of laboratory test preparation and testing procedures on soils to the required standards.


• Accurately completing test sheets with all necessary data before they are released for calculation.


• Cleaning testing equipment and tools after each test and ensuring calibration markings are intact and valid.


• Booking in, systematically logging and cataloguing samples as they arrive into the stores. Receiving sample schedules from the laboratory and/or engineers and retrieving the required samples for laboratory testing.


• Sorting and arranging the delivery of samples for subcontract testing, including specialist concrete design, BRE and asbestos screen testing.


• Returning samples from the laboratory to the stores, re‑cataloguing and disposing of samples in accordance with the required procedures.


• Building and maintaining good relationships with others in the Laboratory.


• Complying with relevant health and safety regulations and helping to promote a strong safety culture within the laboratory team.


• Participating in and completing the relevant training programme and carrying out other relevant duties as required by your line manager.

About You

You’ll be naturally curious about how materials behave and interested in understanding why they perform the way they do, rather than simply following instructions. Whether you’ve explored science before or are just starting out, you’ll be motivated to build your knowledge and develop a long‑term career in materials testing. You’ll be comfortable working in a structured environment, following standardised test methods, preparing samples, using laboratory equipment and repeating precise tasks where consistency and accuracy are essential.

This is a very hands‑on and practical role, so you should be willing to get stuck in. There may also be some heavy lifting required on occasion, so you’ll need to be comfortable with the practical nature of the role. We’re looking for someone who is focused and careful in all aspects of their work, with good attention to detail to identify problems and accurately record observations. The ability to think on your feet is crucial due to the environment and nature of the role!

You will have good health and safety awareness and be able to work towards strict health and safety guidelines. You’ll also be a good communicator and team player, able to speak up, work together with colleagues and contribute positively to the wider laboratory team. You’ll be comfortable working independently when required and will be motivated to keep developing your skills, understand the results you produce and build towards becoming a knowledgeable and trusted materials testing professional.

Apprenticeship Eligibility

• Be 16 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.