Laboratory Materials Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3) - PJB Technical Services

Location: PJB Technical Services, RAF Brize Norton, Carterton, Oxfordshire, OX18 3LX

Expected Start Date: ASAP

Working for PJB Technical Services

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.

The Package

• 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

Key Responsibilities

• Assist 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, organised, 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, CBR testing, and dynamic plate (LWD) testing.

About You

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 standardised 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 be needed during the apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship Eligibility

• Be 16 or over
• Not be in full-time education
• Have lived in the UK for at least 3 years
• Have the right to work in the UK

Apprenticeships are designed to provide new knowledge, skills and behaviours, so applicants should not already hold a Level 3, degree or higher qualification in a closely related subject, or have significant experience in the same field.

If you’re unsure whether you meet the criteria, we’d still love to hear from you - get in touch and we can advise you further.

So how does the apprenticeship work?

Start your career as a materials technician and gain hands-on experience supporting real testing and analysis in a laboratory or technical environment. As part of this Level 3 Materials Technician apprenticeship, you’ll learn how to carry out tests, analyse data, and contribute to important projects, whether that’s in a laboratory or a more practical, site-based environment.

Over 20 months, you’ll combine day-to-day experience in your role with structured training delivered by expert tutors at Tiro. Our blended learning approach includes a mix of online sessions, in-person training, and hands-on support, alongside guidance from a dedicated mentor in the workplace. You’ll spend at least 6 hours per week on off-the-job training, including virtual learning, practical activities, and applied assignments.

What your training will look like:

You’ll follow a structured programme combining live sessions, online learning, and hands-on workplace training to build your skills step by step.

What could your future look like?

This apprenticeship will help you build the skills and experience needed to start your career as a materials technician and progress within the industry. Through hands-on training, you’ll develop the competence and confidence to carry out laboratory testing and take on increasing responsibility in your role. This programme can also lead to professional recognition, such as becoming a Registered Science Technician (RSciTech). You’ll gain experience that’s valued across a wide range of technical and scientific roles, opening up opportunities to grow and specialise in your chosen field. If you choose to continue your development, you may also have the opportunity to progress onto higher-level qualifications, such as degree apprenticeships in Materials or Chemistry.