Paint Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3) - Thomas Howse

Tiro; Rowley Regis; On-site; GBP 19,000 - 23,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension scheme

Regular training and CPD opportunities

Production bonus after 6 months

Discretionary year-end bonus scheme

Overtime opportunities

Job summary

Thomas Howse recruits for a Paint Manufacturing Technician Apprentice in the Powder Coating Department. You will learn how coatings are produced, operate lines and production machinery, and develop practical skills for a long-term career in manufacturing.

This Level 3 Process Industries Manufacturing Technician apprenticeship runs for 22 months with blended learning, online and in-person sessions, and on-site mentor support. Start ASAP with full training and progression opportunities.

Qualifications

• Candidates should be reliable, hardworking and quality focused.
• Willingness to learn in a manufacturing environment.
• Able to work around machinery and follow health and safety procedures.
• Ability to stay focused during repetitive tasks and pay attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Operate lines and production machinery to manufacture industrial powder coatings.
• Carry out basic machine maintenance and quality checks.
• Weigh materials accurately and enter data into systems.
• Support stock control and maintain a clean, safe working environment.
• Learn wet paint processes on site and follow health and safety rules.

Skills

Attention to detail

Reliability

Willingness to learn

Teamwork

Quality focus

Education

A Levels or equivalent

Job description

Department: Science Apprenticeship - Process Industries Manufacturing Technician (Chemical) L3

Location: Birmingham

Compensation: £10.00 / hour

Description

Location: 5 Cakemore Rd, Rowley Regis B65 0RB

Expected Start Date: ASAP

Working For Thomas Howse

Thomas Howse is an independent industrial paint and powder coating manufacturer established in 1903 and based in the West Midlands. With over 120 years of industry experience, they develop and manufacture high-quality surface coatings for customers across a wide range of sectors. Committed to innovation and sustainability, the company continues to invest in new technologies, including environmentally friendly water-based paints and low-temperature curing powder coatings that help reduce emissions and create safer working environments.

As a Paint Manufacturing Technician Apprentice, you will work within the Powder Coating Department, operating lines manufacturing industrial powder coatings. You will work closely with the Powder Production Manager and Quality Control team, learning how the manufacturing process works, how quality is maintained and how production equipment is operated safely and effectively. You will carry out basic machine maintenance as part of your role and have opportunities to develop your formulation knowledge and skills across both powder production and wet paint manufacturing.

Package

More About Company

Starting Salary: £20,800 per annum (£10.00 per hour)

Annual Leave: 28 days, including 8 statutory bank holidays.

Working Hours: 40 hours per week (Monday to Thursday, 8:00am–4:30pm and Friday, 8:00am–2:00pm)

Benefits

• Company pension scheme
• Regular training and CPD opportunities
• Eligibility for a production bonus following 6 months' service
• Eligibility for the company discretionary year-end bonus scheme
• Overtime opportunities available, subject to business requirements
• Supportive working environment with opportunities to develop your manufacturing knowledge and skills
• Salary increasing to National Minimum Wage after the first 12 months, followed by annual reviews

Key Responsibilities

We are pleased to offer an exciting opportunity for a Paint Manufacturing Technician Apprentice to join the Powder Coating Department. This is a hands‑on role where you’ll learn how industrial powder coatings are produced, work with production machinery and develop a strong understanding of quality and manufacturing processes. You’ll work closely with experienced colleagues and build the practical skills needed for a long‑term career in manufacturing.

What You Will Be Doing

• Operating lines manufacturing industrial powder coatings
• Operating production machinery and heavy‑duty equipment
• Carrying out basic machine maintenance
• Using scales to accurately weigh and measure materials
• Computer data entry
• Supporting stock control
• Maintaining a clean, organised and safe working environment
• Working closely with the Powder Production Manager and QC Team
• Assisting with quality checks to ensure products meet required standards
• Developing formulation knowledge and skills
• Learning the processes involved in wet paint manufacturing on site
• Following all health and safety procedures
• Wearing and maintaining the PPE provided

About You

You enjoy practical, hands‑on work and like the idea of being part of a manufacturing environment where products are made to a high standard. Working around machinery, equipment and established processes doesn't put you off, and you're keen to learn how products are manufactured from start to finish.

You're reliable, hardworking and quality focused, with the ability to think about what you're doing rather than simply following a process without understanding it. Following instructions, adhering to health and safety procedures and maintaining high standards come naturally to you. You're able to stay focused during repetitive tasks, pay attention to detail and think on your feet when required.

You learn best by doing and are keen to develop your skills through hands‑on experience. Whether working independently or as part of a team, you're willing to get involved, learn from experienced colleagues and take responsibility for your work. Most importantly, you're looking to build a long‑term career in manufacturing and have a broad outlook towards learning different manufacturing processes.

Please note: You must be 18+ due to the nature of the working environment. Ideally, you will have completed A Levels or an equivalent qualification.

Apprenticeship Eligibility

• 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 chemical manufacturing technician and gain hands‑on experience supporting production in a highly controlled industrial environment.

As part of this Level 3 Process Industries Manufacturing Technician apprenticeship, you’ll learn how to operate and maintain large‑scale chemical processes, monitor production, and ensure products meet strict quality and safety standards.

Learn more about the programme here.

Over 22 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 chemical manufacturing technician and progress within the process manufacturing industry.

Through hands‑on training, you’ll develop the competence and confidence to operate complex production systems, monitor performance, and respond to changes in real time. You’ll work in high‑tech, safety‑critical environments, following strict regulatory and quality standards to ensure efficient and reliable operations. This programme can also lead to professional recognition, such as becoming a Registered Science Technician (RSciTech).

You’ll gain experience that’s highly valued across a wide range of manufacturing and process industries, opening up opportunities to grow and specialise within chemical production and related technical roles.