Laboratory Materials Technician Apprenticeship; Level 3 - PJB Technical Services

Professional Details

Department: Science Apprenticeship - Materials L3

Location: Hounslow

Compensation: £26,000 / year

Expected

Start Date:

ASAP

Location: PJB Technical Services, Heathrow Terminal 4, Stratford Road, Hounslow, Middlesex, TW6 3XA

Welcome to PJB Technical Services Ltd, your foremost choice for materials testing. We specialise in comprehensive testing services for Airfields (Military and Commercial) and Aggregates, Asphalt, Concrete and Soils. Our internal standards Laboratory and mobile laboratories empower us to conduct a diverse range of in‑situ investigations and Laboratory Testing across the UK and abroad. Whether you require Grip Testing, coring, pull testing, plate loads, or LWDs, we’ve got you covered, expecting nothing less than exceptional service.

PJB Technical Services was established in 1992 and has been gaining momentum in growing its specialist diverse team with an extensive knowledge of engineering and testing.

• Starting salary of £26,000/year
• Working hours are 37.5 hours per week
• Pension scheme
• Regular training and CPD opportunities
• Flexible shift patterns
  
  Excellent entry level role for candidates with limited experience

We are pleased to offer an opportunity for a Materials Technician Apprentice to join the team, supporting day‑to‑day laboratory and site operations. This role will involve assisting with routine materials testing, maintaining equipment and work areas, and supporting technicians both in the laboratory and on construction sites, where permitted.

• Carry out basic laboratory tasks to support routine materials testing activities.
• Assist with the making and de‑moulding of concrete cubes and beams.
• Maintain clean, organized, and well‑stocked laboratory and store areas.
• Clean, restock, and check testing equipment, ensuring calibration dates are current.
• Support vehicle management by updating tracking systems and confirming daily checks have been completed (as experience develops).
• Assist site teams when permitted and holding the appropriate CSCS card, including supporting coring operations and reinstating core holes.
• Log, trim, and prepare cores in the laboratory for compressive strength testing.
• Support on‑site concrete testing activities, including air entrainment, slump testing, and general quality control work.
• Weigh concrete samples in air and water to calculate density and assist with on‑site crushing tests.
• Assist with ground investigation testing, including plate loading, C  testing, and dynamic plate (LWD) testing.

Please note: This role is ideal for a candidate with limited experience, who will have the opportunity to develop as the role progresses.

You’re naturally curious about how materials behave and enjoy understanding why they perform the way they do, 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 materials testing laboratory.

You’re someone who thrives in a structured setting. You like clarity, routine, and knowing what good looks like. Following standardized test methods, working with laboratory equipment, and carefully preparing samples and recording data feels satisfying rather than restrictive. You’re patient, focused, and comfortable repeating precise tasks because you understand that consistency and accuracy are essential for high‑quality results.

You take safety, quality standards, and laboratory procedures seriously, and you approach your work with a calm, methodical mindset. You’re just as comfortable working independently as you are communicating clearly with colleagues, supervisors, and engineers. You’re motivated by analysing results, understanding why materials pass or fail, and progressing over time, building your skills step by step and becoming a trusted expert in materials testing.

Please note: While a full driving licence is not required to apply, you must be working towards obtaining one, as travel to various sites will…