Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3) - Wickham Micro Ltd

Tiro; Fareham; On-site; GBP 14,000 - 18,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Starting salary £16,000/year

20 days annual leave + bank holidays

Company pension scheme

Regular training and CPD opportunities

Job summary

Wickham Micro Ltd in Fareham is offering a Level 3 Laboratory Technician apprenticeship. You will support daily lab operations, assist with testing, and learn to document data under SL and GMP/GLP standards.

The programme runs over 20 months, with a structured mix of live sessions, online learning, and hands-on workplace training, including at least 6 hours/week of off-the-job training. Starting salary is £16,000 per year, rising to National Living Wage after the first year; 20 days' leave plus

Qualifications

• 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 provide new knowledge and skills; prior related degrees may disqualify eligibility.

Responsibilities

• Support day-to-day lab operations.
• Provide technical assistance to ensure smooth workflows.
• Record data and maintain compliance with GLP/GMP procedures.
• Follow approved methods and inform leaders of deviations.

Skills

Curious mindset

Attention to detail

Structured/ methodical

Team supportive

Education

Level 3 Laboratory Technician apprenticeship

Job description

Department: Science Apprenticeship - Chemistry L3

Location: Fareham

Compensation: £16,000 / year

Location: Hoeford Point, Barwell Lane, Gosport, Fareham, PO13 0AU

Expected Start Date: ASAP

Working for Wickham Micro Ltd

Wickham Micro is a GMP/GLP compliant laboratory with over 60 years of global experience in specialised pharmaceutical testing and medical device testing in the fields of microbiology.

About Wickham Micro Ltd

Wickham Micro is a GMP/GLP compliant laboratory with over 60 years of global experience in specialised pharmaceutical testing and medical device testing in the fields of microbiology.

The Package

• Starting salary of £16,000/year (Increasing to National Living Wage after the first year of the apprenticeship)
• 20 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Monday - Friday (8am-4pm)
• Company pension scheme
• 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:

• Ensure that work is carried out in accordance with the method/s supplied, in a manner to obtain accurate results and to inform the Laboratory Support Leader or General Manager of any circumstances arising that may jeopardise the integrity of such results.
• Keep the Laboratory Support Leader or General Manager informed concerning the status of their work, including situations that may lead to potential delays.
• Undertake routine basic laboratory duties and /or clerical duties unsupervised and selected project work under supervision, documenting work in compliance with company procedures.
• Collate data for laboratory records for the preparation of reports and for compliance with company procedures.
• Undertake monitoring and care of equipment
• Work in compliance with GLP, GMP and the policies and procedures of Wickham Micro Quality System.
• Conduct all activities in accordance with the site documents relating to Health and Safety.
• Comply with written procedures and comment on these as necessary.
• Work with the Apprentice Mentor to ensure all studies and course work is timely and correct

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.

Apprenticeship Eligibility

To Apply For This Apprenticeship, You Must

• 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.

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

Learn more about the programme here.

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.

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 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.