Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3) - Safapac

Tiro; Peterborough; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

33 days annual leave

Pension scheme

Overtime

Life cover/Death in service

Training and CPD opportunities

Job summary

Safapac in Peterborough is offering a Laboratory Technician Apprentice position with a starting salary of £24,784 per year. The role supports day-to-day lab operations and provides technical assistance within a purpose-built facility that handles toxic and flammable materials.

Start date is March 2026, with full-time hours and a comprehensive benefits package including pension and training opportunities. The apprenticeship provides hands-on experience, structured training over 20 months, and

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 lab operations and provide technical assistance to ensure smooth workflows.
• Receive, sample and analyse veterinary materials in line with approved specifications and procedures.
• Accurately document laboratory testing, results and sample information, maintaining records.
• Use the company ERP system to quarantine or release materials as appropriate.
• Assist in development and improvement of analytical methods and help address laboratory/testing issues.
• Maintain proper cross-contamination controls and ensure timely analysis of customer samples.

Job description

Department: Science Apprenticeship - Chemistry L3

Location: Cambridgeshire

Compensation: £24,784 / year

Description

Location: 4 Stapledon Road, Orton Southgate, Peterborough, PE2 6TB

Start Date: March 2026

Working for Safapac

Safapac is a leading, family-owned, contract manufacturer and packer of chemicals, operating from a purpose-built facility in Peterborough, UK. This site is fully equipped to provide a range of services, including liquid blending, bead milling, filtration, heating, handling of toxic & flammable materials.

In addition to its vast range of technology and specialist manufacturing capabilities, Safapac also offer a wide variety of packing services. These include liquid packing, repacking, labelling, batch coding, nitrogen purging, induction sealing and packing to meet a retail scale. Established in 1996 and highly qualified, Safapac prides itself on the quality, integrity and traceability of all its products, formulating and packing them to the highest standards and continuously striving to gain new industry approvals.

About Safapac

The Package

• Starting salary of £24,784/year
• 33 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Workings hours are 37.5 hours per week
• Company pension scheme (5% employee / 4% employer)
• Overtime available
• 3x Life cover/Death in service
• Regular training and CPD opportunities

Key Responsibilities

We are pleased to offer an opportunity for a Laboratory Technician Apprentice to join the team to support day-to-day lab operations and provide technical assistance to ensure smooth and efficient workflows.

Skills

This apprenticeship provides a strong foundation for a future career in laboratory science, offering opportunities to develop a broad range of technical and scientific skills in a supportive environment:

• Receive, sample and analyse veterinary materials in line with approved specifications, procedures, test methods and sampling protocols.
• Accurately document laboratory testing, results and sample information, ensuring all necessary records are maintained.
• Use the company ERP system to quarantine or release materials for use as appropriate.
• Support the development and improvement of analytical methods and help identify solutions to laboratory and testing issues.
• Carry out analysis to help ensure effective cross-contamination controls are maintained.
• Analyse and prepare customer sample requests within agreed timescales.
• Archive batch samples and maintain accurate laboratory records in accordance with company procedures.
• Keep the laboratory clean, tidy, organised and appropriately stocked, anticipating future equipment and material requirements.
• Follow all Health & Safety procedures and carry out laboratory tasks in the safest possible manner.
• Report accidents, incidents, near misses and potential safety concerns promptly and accurately.
• Ensure temporary staff and laboratory visitors are provided with the correct PPE and relevant safety information.
• Follow company procedures and policies at all times, proactively reporting any issues or potential problems.
• Work flexibly to meet the changing needs of the laboratory, customers and wider business, including adapting working patterns where required.
• Maintain a professional and positive attitude, working effectively as part of the laboratory team.
• Demonstrate good attendance, punctuality and timekeeping, arriving prepared and ready to work.
• Complete relevant training to continually develop your laboratory knowledge, skills and competence.
• Keep up to date with departmental policies and procedures and work towards objectives within your personal development plan.

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: You must be 18+ due to the nature of the working environment

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.

If you’re unsure whether you meet the criteria, we’d still love to hear from you - get in touch and we can advise you further.

So how does the apprenticeship work?

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.