Materials Technician Apprentice (Level 3) - SoilEx

Tiro; Hatching Green; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading training provider is seeking a Geotechnical Technician Apprentice to support the delivery of field-based projects across the UK. The role involves on-site soil sampling and documentation, requiring strong interpersonal skills and a willingness to learn. This apprenticeship offers a salary while gaining hands-on experience and the potential for a full-time position upon completion.

Benefits

25 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Private Healthcare

Company pension scheme

Regular training opportunities

Company van - Fuel card

Qualifications

• Confidence and enthusiasm for the role.
• Professional and respectful interaction with clients.
• Ability to work alongside others in a team.

Responsibilities

• Carry out soil and waste sampling on sites nationwide.
• Ensure compliance with health and safety regulations.
• Log sampling information accurately for reporting.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Adaptability

Problem-solving

Job description

Overview

Department: Science

Location: South East

Compensation: £22,000 / year

Description: Location: Role requires travel to national sites (Head office: 104 Russell Building, West Common, Harpenden AL5 2JQ)

Working for SoilEx

SoilEx was founded in 2019 by Alex Collman, who has 15 years of experience in the industry. This led to the start of SoilEx and our beginnings in a small, shared office in Hemel Hempstead. As the uptake of the SoilEx service grew, our team expanded with experienced professionals from the industry. We moved to permanent offices in Harpenden in 2021 and opened a second office in Everton (Nr. Doncaster) in late 2024 as the demand for our services grew nationally. In early 2025 we launched our digital portal ConnEx, enabling centralised and easier-to-understand data. We continue to innovate with the ExBox and ExBag and are committed to our mission statement.

The Package

• Starting salary of £22,000/year (Increasing to NMW after 12 months, depending on age)
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Private Healthcare
• Company pension scheme
• Regular training and CPD opportunities
• Company van - Fuel card

What will I be doing as an apprentice?

We are delighted to offer an opportunity for a Geotechnical Technician Apprentice (Level 3) to join our team, supporting the delivery of field-based sampling and investigation projects across the UK. This role plays a key part in ensuring accurate data collection and compliance with industry standards, working on-site to gather, document, and communicate essential information that underpins project success.

This apprenticeship provides a solid foundation for a career in geoenvironmental and geotechnical services, offering the chance to gain hands-on experience in soil and waste sampling, site assessment, and technical reporting. You will develop a broad set of practical and professional skills while working alongside experienced colleagues in a supportive environment.

Summary of duties

Site-Based Sampling & Assessment

• Attend sites nationwide to carry out soil and waste sampling using appropriate techniques
• Conduct visual and olfactory assessments of materials and accurately record observations
• Take photographs and create clear, professional documentation of site activities for reporting purposes
• Identify and confirm appropriate sampling locations in collaboration with clients and the internal Technical Team
• Ensure compliance with all relevant health & safety protocols and environmental guidance during site operations

Communication & Coordination

• Liaise with site-based personnel to ensure efficient scheduling and execution of fieldwork
• Maintain close communication with office-based staff to coordinate logistics and ensure consistency in data recording and reporting
• Represent the company professionally when interacting with clients and contractors on-site

Documentation & Reporting

• Accurately log sampling information, including site observations, sampling methods, and supporting photographic evidence
• Support the Technical Team by providing detailed field data to inform waste classification and reporting processes

What could the future look like?

When you join SoilEx, the possibilities for your success are limitless. As a successful applicant, you have the potential to secure a full-time position within the company at the conclusion of your apprenticeship.

Through practical, on-the-job training, you will develop new skills and gain the competence and responsibility required for materials testing and analysis. This apprenticeship serves as a stepping stone towards a rewarding career in materials science, with the added opportunity for the apprentice to become a registered Science Technician (RSci Tech).

This programme opens up a variety of career pathways across industries including construction materials, civil engineering, geotechnical investigation, environmental consultancy, and infrastructure development, ensuring your materials science skills are in demand across multiple sectors.

This apprenticeship can also help pave the way for further educational and professional advancement. You may choose to pursue higher-level qualifications through one of our Degree Apprenticeships such as a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Applied Materials Science.

Skills, Knowledge, and Experience

About You

We are looking for an apprentice who brings confidence and enthusiasm to the role, with a positive approach to working alongside others. Strong interpersonal skills are important, as you will be interacting with colleagues, clients, and contractors on-site, so being polite, respectful, and professional is essential.

You should demonstrate common sense and reliability, with the ability to follow clear processes while adapting to changing site conditions. A hard-working attitude, combined with adaptability and problem-solving, will help you succeed in a role that is both practical and varied.

Above all, we are seeking someone who is eager to learn and develop, taking a hands-on approach to building new skills and knowledge in the geotechnical and geoenvironmental field.

Due to the nature of this role and insurance purposes, you must be 21+ and have a full UK driving licence.

Experience

We value attitude, curiosity, and commitment just as much as past experience. While previous experience can be helpful, it’s not essential — we welcome applicants from all backgrounds, especially those with a genuine interest in the field and the motivation to build a career.

You might be a school or college leaver, or someone looking to retrain. Either way, if you’re enthusiastic, proactive, and ready to learn, you’ll fit right in.

Qualifications

It’s about enthusiasm, not school results. In our experience the most successful apprentices are those who are driven to find out more about the sector, can be up front about what they do and don’t already know, are considerate, self-reflective, and impatient to learn the job role!

So how does the apprenticeship work?

Over 21 months, you’ll devote a minimum of 6 hours of your working week on ‘off the job’ training. This can include theory training (for example, virtual lessons & online learning), alongside practical training (for example shadowing, mentoring, & time spent writing assignments). Together this will count towards a Level 3 Materials Technician apprenticeship.

You’ll be trained by an expert tutor from Tiro as well as an experienced mentor at SoilEx who together, will make sure you develop the knowledge, skills, and work habits you’ll need to succeed in your career. Being an apprentice is hands-on, so you’ll get the chance to learn things you might otherwise not have experienced in a university or college environment.

The best part? You’ll be earning a salary while you gain your qualifications, meaning no huge student loans to pay back at the end of the programme!

Eligibility

While we never want to hinder your job application process with obstacles, there are some minimum requirements you’ll need to meet in order to do an apprenticeship. These are rules set by the UK Government.

As a training provider, we are committed to ensuring that our apprenticeship programs deliver significant new knowledge and skills. To be eligible, applicants must demonstrate that the program will provide learning and experiences beyond their current qualifications and professional expertise.

If you already hold a Level 3, degree or equivalent higher-level qualification in a closely related field, or possess substantial relevant experience, you may not be eligible for apprenticeship funding, as these programmes are designed for individuals who require upskilling or reskilling in their chosen career pathway.

You’ll need to be over 21+, not in full time education, have lived in the UK for 3 years and have the right to work in the UK.

Due to the nature of this role and insurance purposes, you must be 21+ and have a full UK driving licence.

If you don’t quite meet these minimum requirements yet, let us know you’re interested here and we’ll get in touch to discuss this further with you.