Materials Technician Apprentice (Level 3) - Heidelberg Materials UK in Bristol

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Department: Science Apprenticeship - Materials L3

Location: Bristol

Compensation: £20,176 / year

The Package:

• Starting salary of £20,176/year
• Competitive Package: Salary, bonus incentives, generous pension, and life assurance
• Work-Life Balance: 27 days holiday (plus bank holidays)
• Inclusive Culture: Paid volunteering day and active employee communities (LGBTQ+, Women in STEM, Armed Forces, and more)
• Wellbeing & Development: Employee Assistance Programme, retail discounts, and continuous learning opportunities
• Family‑Friendly Policies: Enhanced support for maternity, paternity, adoption, IVF, neonatal care, and menopause

What will I be doing as an apprentice?

We are thrilled to offer an exciting opportunity for an Apprentice Product Development Technician (Level 3) to join our expert team at the Heidelberg Materials UK Chipping Sodbury National Laboratory. In this role, you’ll play a vital part in the testing, development, and innovation of materials that support the UK’s road and infrastructure network. Working closely with experienced professionals, you’ll help ensure our products meet exacting performance and sustainability standards through hands‑on laboratory testing, analysis, and reporting. This is an apprenticeship role. You will be required to complete a study and apprenticeship programme and maintain all required apprenticeship documentation adhering to all apprenticeship requirements and commitments.

Summary of duties:

• Create and test new Asphalt materials to meet performance specifications
• Conduct over 40 accredited tests in line with industry standards
• Investigate material complaints and produce detailed technical reports
• Manage your own projects and provide support across the technical team
• Participate in research and development of innovative product

Due to the nature of the role, you must be 18+ to be suitable for this apprenticeship position.

Skills, Knowledge, and Experience About You:

We are looking for an apprentice who is curious, motivated, and ready to take on challenges in a laboratory environment. You should bring enthusiasm and a genuine interest in materials science, engineering, or product development, with a proactive approach to learning new techniques and technologies.

What we are looking for:

• Great attention to detail
• Methodical mindset
• Good communicator
• Team player
• Reliable
• Committed
• Eager to learn, grow, and make a meaningful contribution to the future of sustainable construction materials

Experience:

We value attitude, curiosity, and commitment just as much as past experience. While previous science 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 upfront about what they do and don’t already know, are considerate, self‑reflective, and impatient to learn the job role!

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 Laboratory Technician apprenticeship. You’ll be trained by an expert tutor from Tiro as well as an experienced mentor at Heidelberg Materials UK 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:

To be eligible for apprenticeship, applicants must demonstrate that the programme 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. Applicants must 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.