Chemical Operative Apprentice (Level 5) - Augean

Augean is a leading waste management company that provides services across several industries in the UK. In 2023, Augean acquired Future Industrial Services, expanding its capabilities in industrial cleaning, decommissioning, and decontamination for Energy, Petrochemical, Manufacturing, Utilities, and Cement customers throughout England and Wales.

With expertise across Renewable Energy, Infrastructure, Construction, Nuclear, Processing, Manufacturing, and Oil and Gas sectors, Augean is strategically positioned to deliver innovative commercial and compliance solutions in complex, regulated markets. The group offers a comprehensive range of waste services including reuse, recycling, recovery, treatment, transfer, disposal, and specialist industrial services.

This role is a great opportunity for anyone with a keen interest in Chemistry or Environmental Science. If you have the passion to learn and desire to build a long term career in a new industry, then we want to speak to you!

The Package

• Starting salary: GBP 20,631 per annum (raising to National Minimum Wage after 12 months if aged 18+)
• Working hours: 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday, 8am - 5pm
• Overtime pay
• Front Line Bonus Scheme
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• 1 day in lieu to be used every month
• Occasional out of hours working available if desired
• Regular training and CPD opportunities including ADR qualifications and HGV License

What will I be doing as an Apprentice?

Augean are pleased to be able to offer you the opportunity to both earn a salary and study towards a nationally recognised qualification through our Level 5 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship. In this role, you will provide expertise and guidance to customers and sales staff, and ensure company compliance with all statutory legislation, the operations' licences and permits. You will also process hazardous waste enquiries and support site waste operations in the chemist function, accepting wastes and working within the operations team.

• Proactively support and embed a generative safety culture.
• Liaise with the sales and administration team regarding waste streams to enable rapid turnaround of assessments and resolution of queries in a commercial environment.
• Provide efficient and timely management of waste stream enquiries and technical queries using reference manuals and the internet to determine categorization of wastes according to current legislation, ensuring safe and appropriate treatment and disposal of hazardous wastes.
• Review and monitor waste compliance data, providing technical input on the resolution of compliance issues.
• Keep abreast of regulatory developments and Environment Agency guidance and assess how they may affect the company's operations.
• Provide support/cover for operational waste aspects, including acceptance, processing, and reporting.
• Contribute to the presentation and support sales in the IQ and formal quotation process.
• Assist with or carry out specific projects as necessary.
• Undertake specific tasks as per business requirements.
• Maintain continuous professional development and competence for the role.
• Provide IS operator duties as and when required.

What could the future look like?

This programme is designed to enable existing team members or new recruits to develop the knowledge skills, and behaviours needed to fulfil their vital role. Once you've qualified, you'll be eligible to join the Register of Science Technicians (RSciTech) through an appropriate industry body. This apprenticeship offers an exceptional platform for you to enhance your knowledge and experience in the industrial chemical waste industry, as well as your leadership skills. As you progress, you'll find avenues to further develop your leadership acumen, fostering your ability to guide and inspire teams. Successful apprentices will be offered a permanent position with Augean!

Furthermore, an exciting prospect within this role lies in the potential transition to permanent roles as Laboratory Chemist, Site Chemist, Technical Assessor, Business Development and Site Management. Rest assured, your hard work and determination will be recognised!

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Strong work ethic and fantastic attention to detail.
• Good communication skills and effective time management.
• Flexible and adaptable - you'll be comfortable stepping outside of your general day-to-day role and will be excited to explore different teams and areas of the business.
• Comfortable working both indoors and outdoors.
• You'll be the kind of person who loves to get stuck in, and you aren't afraid to get your hands dirty!
• You'll love to learn, and have an absolute passion for starting a long term career in chemistry.
• Due to the nature of the position, you'll need to have an absolute respect for health & safety, and working to legislation & procedures.
• You must hold a relevant A level (Chemical Science) and/or previous experience of working in the chemical industry.

Please note, because of the nature and responsibilities of this position, you must be aged 18+, be able to reliably commute to site within 45 minutes and some heavy lifting may be required.

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!

Experience

We're not just interested in experience and qualifications; we're looking for someone with the right attitude and aptitude to fit right in at Augean.

So how does the apprenticeship work?

At Tiro we're obsessed with changing lives through science and technology apprenticeships so we can't wait to have you on board. Over 28 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 Laboratory Technician apprenticeship. You'll be trained by an expert tutor from Tiro as well as an experienced mentor at Augean 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 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 18, not in full time education, have lived in the UK for 3 years and have the right to work in the UK.