Materials Laboratory Technician Apprentice

Holcim Ltd; Slough; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading construction materials supplier in the UK is offering a hands-on Technical Apprenticeship within their Materials Laboratory team based in Slough. The successful candidate will work alongside experienced technicians, ensuring materials meet quality standards while gaining technical skills. Responsibilities include testing materials, documenting results, and adhering to health and safety policies. This opportunity requires strong communication skills, attention to detail, and a willingness to learn.

Qualifications

• Relevant qualifications or industry experience can be shared; apprenticeship can be tailored.
• Motivation to develop skills and knowledge is essential.
• Confidence in asking questions is encouraged.

Responsibilities

• Ensure materials meet quality and safety standards.
• Take samples and conduct tests on materials.
• Collaborate with technicians and maintain equipment.

Skills

Strong communication skills

IT proficiency

Attention to detail

Teamworking ability

Motivation and reliability

Curiosity and willingness to learn

Comfortable using technology

Job description

Overview

This is a fantastic opportunity to start your career in a hands‑on Technical Apprenticeship within our Materials Laboratory team. You'll be based on site, working alongside experienced technicians who will support you as you learn how to sample, test and report on the quality of our sand, aggregates and bituminous products.

Responsibilities

• Ensure materials we produce meet the highest quality and safety standards.
• Work safely in a laboratory environment, following clear testing procedures and understanding how our products are used across major construction projects.
• Take samples, carry out tests on materials such as sand, aggregates and bituminous products, and record results using laboratory systems.
• Spot and report any issues, help investigate early product concerns, and support the team in keeping equipment well‑maintained and calibrated.
• Collaborate with experienced technicians to build knowledge, develop technical skills, and provide support to colleagues and customers.
• Comply with health and safety policies and procedures, including HASWA, COSHH, risk assessments, use of PPE, manual handling and emergency procedures.
• Maintain excellent housekeeping in accordance with standard procedures.
• Order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required.
• Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks applying concepts of resource efficiency (energy, water, waste).
• Adhere to internal and external regulatory requirements (GLP, GMP, GDP).
• Prepare for and perform laboratory experiments, tests or tasks following specified methodologies to provide reliable, accurate data (weighing, pipetting, filtering, spectroscopic, chromatography techniques).
• Demonstrate technical competence in the use of specialised instruments and equipment.
• Report faults and seek diagnostic advice to maintain equipment in good working order, including calibration where required.
• Complete documentation proficiently and keep accurate records of laboratory work and results.
• Contribute to the preparation of reports.
• Use simple statistical techniques for data presentation and evaluation (calculation of median and standard deviation, production of graphs).
• Demonstrate problem‑solving techniques, including identification of sources of error and mitigation (e.g., human error).
• Use standard software packages and applications (Microsoft Office suite).
• Use Laboratory Information Management Systems to support work.
• Address non‑routine problems with samples and instrumentation within defined areas.
• Identify relevant information from scientific sources (supervisors, literature) to contribute to solutions.
• Participate in continuous performance improvement of systems and processes relevant to the work environment (workplace organisation techniques, accreditation such as ISO, UKAS, proficiency testing).
• Evaluate data, recognise and call attention to anomalous or unusual results.

Qualifications and Skills

• Share any relevant qualifications or industry experience; the apprenticeship can be tailored to reflect your existing knowledge.
• Strong communication skills.
• IT proficiency.
• Attention to detail.
• Teamworking ability.
• Motivation and reliability, with a readiness to develop skills and knowledge.
• Curiosity, willingness to learn and confidence in asking questions.
• Comfortable using technology in day‑to‑day work.

About the Company

Holcim UK is one of the leading building materials suppliers in the UK. Our mission is Make Sustainable Construction a Reality. With over 200 sites and around 3,700 dedicated employees, we offer a full range of construction products to help our partners work sustainably, safely, professionally and profitably. We produce aggregates, asphalt, ready‑mixed concrete, cement and precast concrete, import and supply construction materials, export aggregates, and carry out national road surfacing and contracting solutions. We are a proud member of Holcim, the global building materials and solutions company with around 70,000 employees in over 80 countries.