Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3) - Actikem

Tiro; Warrington; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 22,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Quarterly attendance bonus £500

Annual company performance bonus

23 days annual leave

Job summary

Actikem Ltd in Warrington is offering a Level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship. You will join the QC lab, help coordinate daily activities, and support the QC Technician and Development Chemist while studying toward a recognized qualification.

The role runs Monday to Friday, 8:00–16:00, with training and CPD opportunities, quarterly bonuses, and a path to professional progression within the lab environment. Applicants must be aged 18 or over and have a UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and maintain daily QC laboratory operations.
• Support QC Technician, Development Chemist and Production Department in testing, analysing and recording data.
• Calibrate laboratory instruments and perform routine tests following predefined methods.

Job description

Department: Science Apprenticeship - Chemistry L3

Location: Warrington

Compensation: £18,000 - £22,000 / year

Location: Bewsey Industrial Estate, 1 Lilford St, Warrington, WA5 0LE

Working for Actikem Ltd

Actikem enhance the lives of our customers, suppliers, employees, shareholders and local community through our chemistry and by creating added value products and services that solve everyday problems, create great employment opportunities and generate wealth that provides financial security.

We do this by providing bespoke outsourced chemical manufacturing and repackaging services to the UK & European chemical supply chain, with a focus on delivering an unrivalled service. Our vision is to be recognised as the preferred chemical manufacturing and repackaging partner for the UK & European chemical industry, delivering long term innovative and sustainable solutions for all our customers.

Our client base ranges from global chemical companies to small independent chemical distributors. Clients of Actikem may not have their own manufacturing facilities or are looking to outsource some of their operations to a third‑party provider. Actikem also supply bespoke products to industry because of end of live/divestment of products from major manufacturers.

Innovation sits at the centre of what we do, and we believe everything can be improved. For our customers, we make their ambitions a reality, delivering tailored solutions to our clients and career development opportunities for our people. We believe relationships are key to building a successful business. We offer our customers a safe pair of hands and gain their trust to do an important job well without making mistakes.

We invest in our employees and our technologies to be the best of show, and are building a great team of experts, so now have an exciting opportunity for a Level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprentice to join the team!

The Package

• Starting salary: £18,000 - £22,000 per annum
• Quarterly attendance bonus (£500)
• Annual company performance bonus
• 23 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
• Extra 2 days of annual leave available (if company objectives are achieved)
• Monday - Friday, 8.00 - 16:00 (with 30 min break)
• Pension scheme
• Regular training and CPD opportunities

Key Responsibilities

Actikem are pleased to be able to offer you the opportunity to both earn a salary and study towards a nationally recognised qualifications through our Level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship.

Reporting to the Managing Director, you will help coordinate and maintain the daily running of the QC laboratory as well as aiding and supporting the QC Technician, Development Chemist and Production Department in testing, analysing and recording data on a wide variety of specialty formulated chemical products and raw materials.

• Calibrate laboraory instruments according to SOPs to maintain ISO9001:2015 certification.
• Perform routine tests on formulated products following predefined methods and parameters, including viscosity, specific gravity, water content, pH, acid value, color analysis, suspended solids, and refractive index.
• Interpret test results and report deviations to the QC Technician.
• Maintain a clean, organized workspace, ensuring health and safety in compliance with GLP (Good Laboratory Practice).
• Contribute to quality assurance improvements and procedure development within the organization.
• Identify risks or non-conformance in the quality management system and take preventive or corrective actions to meet standards.
• Operate various laboratory equipment to test and analyze specialty chemicals.
• Keep accurate written records.
• Support the Production Department during product formulation.
• Evaluate alternative raw materials from different chemical suppliers.
• Assist in developing and testing new products.
• Work with the QC Technician to manage workload in the QC lab and collaborate with the Managing Director and Development Chemist on technical projects.
• Perform routine wet chemical analysis within the Quality Management System.
• Record laboratory QC data, generate certificates of analysis, manage retained samples, report and correct non-conformances, and maintain laboratory procedures and analysis methods.
• Prepare and package samples for shipment and customer evaluation.
• Maintain supplier safety data sheets and ensure safe disposal of chemical samples.
• Assist in improving laboratory safety systems to ensure ongoing regulatory compliance.

About You

You’re naturally curious and enjoy understanding how things work, not just following instructions. You take pride in getting things right, paying close attention to detail, and producing accurate, reliable results. Whether you’ve explored science before or are just starting out, you’re motivated to build real knowledge and develop a long‑term career in a laboratory environment.

You’re someone who thrives in a structured setting - you like clarity, routine, and knowing what good looks like. Following processes, working to standards, and carefully recording your work feels satisfying rather than restrictive. You’re patient, focused, and comfortable spending time on precise tasks, even when they’re repetitive, because you understand that quality and consistency matter.

You take ownership of your learning, are open to feedback, and approach your work with a calm, methodical mindset. You’re just as happy working independently as you are contributing to a team, and you’re excited by the idea of progressing within a lab setting - building your skills step by step and becoming a trusted expert over time.

Please note

Due to the location of this position, you will require a drivers license and access to your own car and will need to be aged 18 or over.

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.

Start your career as a laboratory technician and gain hands-on experience supporting real scientific work in a professional laboratory or technical environment.

As part of this Level 3 Laboratory 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 laboratory 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 Biology, Materials, or Chemistry.