Laboratory Materials Technician Apprenticeship; Level 3; Geotechnics

Laboratory Materials Technician Apprenticeship (Level
3) - Geotechnics

Department: Science Apprenticeship - Materials L3

Employment Type: Apprentice

Location: Coventry

Compensation: £18,000 / year

Location: 203 Torrington Avenue, Tile Hill, Coventry, CV4 9UT

Working for Geotechnics

Geotechnics is a leading company in the field of geotechnical engineering, based in Coventry. We offer a range of services, including site investigation, consultancy, and laboratory testing. Our laboratory is UKAS accredited and can provide reliable and accurate data for various purposes.

One of our main laboratory services is soil testing, which is essential for the design and construction of foundations, slopes, roads and earthworks. We can perform soil classification tests to identify the type and properties of the soil, as well as strength and compressibility tests to determine the bearing capacity and settlement potential of the soil.

The Package

• Starting salary of £18,000 per year (increasing to National Minimum/Living Wage after the first 12 months)
• Monday - Friday, 8:00AM - 4:00PM
• 37.5 hours per week
• Annual leave: 28 days (3 days reserved for the Christmas period), plus bank holidays.
• Pension Scheme
• Regular training and CPD opportunities

We are pleased to offer an opportunity for a Materials Technician Apprentice to join the team, reporting to Senior Technicians and the Laboratory Manager. You will support the day-to-day running of the laboratory, gaining hands‑on experience in materials testing while developing a broad range of practical and technical skills through a structured training programme.

As part of your apprenticeship, your responsibilities will include:

• Undertaking a varied schedule of laboratory test preparation and testing procedures on soils to the required standards.
• Accurately completing test sheets with all necessary data before they are released for calculation.
• Cleaning testing equipment and tools after each test and ensuring calibration markings are intact and valid.
• Booking in, systematically logging and cataloguing samples as they arrive into the stores. Receiving sample schedules from the laboratory and/or engineers and retrieving the required samples for laboratory testing.
• Sorting and arranging the delivery of samples for subcontract testing, including specialist concrete design, BRE and asbestos screen testing.
• Returning samples from the laboratory to the stores, re‑cataloguing and disposing of samples in accordance with the required procedures.
• Building and maintaining good relationships with others in the Laboratory.
• Complying with relevant health and safety regulations and helping to promote a strong safety culture within the laboratory team.
• Participating in and completing the relevant training programme and carrying out other relevant duties as required by your line manager.

You’ll be naturally curious about how materials behave and interested in understanding why they perform the way they do, rather than simply following instructions. Whether you’ve explored science before or are just starting out, you’ll be motivated to build your knowledge and develop a long‑term career in materials testing. You’ll be comfortable working in a structured environment, following standardised test methods, preparing samples, using laboratory equipment and repeating precise tasks where consistency and accuracy are essential.

This is a very hands‑on and practical role, so you should be willing to get stuck in. There may also be some heavy lifting required on occasion, so you’ll need to be comfortable with the practical nature of the role. We’re looking for someone who is focused and careful in all aspects of their work, with good attention to detail to identify problems and accurately record observations.

The ability to think on your feet is crucial due to the environment and nature of the role!

You will have good health and safety awareness and be able to work towards strict health and safety guidelines. You’ll also be a good communicator and team player, able to speak up, work together with colleagues and contribute positively to the wider laboratory team. You’ll be…