Materials Technician Apprentice

Department:
Science Apprenticeship - Materials L3

Location:
Welwyn Garden City

Compensation:
£27,500 / year

Description
Location:
Site C, Watchmead, Welwyn Garden City AL7 1BQ

Working for Sika
Sika is a global leader in speciality chemicals, driving innovation and performance across the construction and industrial manufacturing industries. Since its founding in 1910, Sika has built a reputation as a trusted partner for delivering high-quality solutions that enhance durability, safety, and sustainability in the built environment.

With a strong heritage of expertise and continuous innovation, Sika provides a comprehensive portfolio of products and systems – from roofing, flooring, sealing and bonding, to concrete admixtures and waterproofing. Our robust research and development, combined with rigorous testing and technical support, ensures that Sika solutions meet the highest standards of quality and reliability.

By working closely with clients, contractors, and stakeholders, Sika helps create sustainable value throughout the construction supply chain in the UK and global marketplaces.

The Package

• Starting salary: £27,500 per year
• Monday - Friday, 37.5 hours per week
• 8:00am - 5:00pm
• 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
• Company pension

What will I be doing as a Materials Technician apprentice?
As an Apprentice Materials Technician, you'll play a key role in the product development process by preparing, testing, and recording data relevant to product prototypes. This will significantly contribute to the overall performance of the department within the organisation.

• You will be crucial in maintaining top-level laboratory facilities, including equipment calibration, ensuring a full stock of raw materials, and liaising with other relevant functions.
• You will also be responsible for ensuring that Health and Safety policies and procedures are observed at the highest standards.
• As an R&D technician apprentice, you will have the opportunity to develop your technical competence through hands-on experience and practical learning. This will involve achieving Level 3 certification as a Material Testing Laboratory Technician.

You'll join a dynamic and diverse team of highly motivated individuals who are team-oriented and results-driven, offering support and encouragement at every stage. Comprehensive training for the position will be offered, along with an apprenticeship to attain a Level 3 certification.

What could the future look like?
When you join Sika, 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
This is a very hands on and practical role so you should be willing to get stuck in.

We're looking for someone who is focused and careful in all aspects of work. You'll be results oriented, and able to use your good attention to detail to identify problems and 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.

Every day will be different, and you'll have the opportunity to work closely with the team to succeed. You'll need to be a good and honest communicator, to speak up and work together.

To succeed in this apprenticeship, you'll need bags of enthusiasm, be a fantastic collaborator and be hungry to learn

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 18 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 Sikawho 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 16, not in full time education, have lived in the UK for 3 years and have the right to work in the UK.

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.