Level 6 Laboratory Scientist Apprentice in Warrington

Are you ready to live your future? Do you want to be part of building a greener, healthier, and stronger North West? Come and join us! With a range of award-winning roles on offer, you’re sure to find your perfect career here at United Utilities. We’ll provide you with industry-leading skills and the experience you need to succeed in your chosen field.

United Utilities is accountable for water and wastewater services in the North West of England. From 2025-2030 we will undertake the largest investment in water and wastewater services in the North West in 100 years - that’s more than £13 billion worth of projects. Now, more than ever, we need inspiring future talent to help make the North West stronger, greener, and healthier.

Our award winning apprentice programme will give you first-class training and support, aligned with an in-depth understanding of your chosen business area – so that you can develop the skills you need to progress your career as you make a real contribution to the communities we serve.

Life as a United Utilities Apprentice: Our apprentices are well looked after, with a generous salary, 26 days of leave (excluding bank holidays), a £500 contribution towards learning to drive, and many more benefits. You’ll have a dedicated mentor and manager to support you every step of the way. All we ask is that you’re willing to learn, work well as part of a team, and manage your time and workload effectively.

As an Apprentice Laboratory Scientist, you’ll learn:

• Key scientific skills and how to ensure that the water that comes out of the tap is of the highest quality.
• How to work as part of a dedicated team focused on ensuring our water quality stays at the highest level.
• How to work with a wide range of equipment and systems, as well as follow the company’s rigorous health and safety standards.

Your apprenticeship will last 60 months, and successful apprentices will achieve a Level 6 Laboratory Scientist (degree) standard, endorsed by the Institute for Apprenticeships. No two days are ever the same in our science department. Our talented team are always on the go as they work to ensure that the water that reaches our customers is always of the same high standard.

You’ll have the chance to join the team and learn key scientific skills, while studying and working towards a rewarding career in the water industry. You’ll get to grips with lots of different systems and activities that take place in our science department, including Ion Chromatography, Colorimetry and Spectrometry. Your training will be at your workplace and block release at the university. If you do not live near, accommodation will be reimbursed/provided by United Utilities during this period, excluding weekends.

We’re looking for someone keen to gain hands-on experience, develop practical skills, and achieve the standards needed to succeed in this role. You’ll need to have:

• 5 GCSEs or equivalent, grades A-C or grades 9-4, which must include Maths, English and a Science subject.
• A Level 3 qualification (such as A-levels or BTEC totaling 104 UCAS points) with one being in a chemical or biological science discipline. The chemical or biological science qualification must be at least a C at A-Level (or equivalent).

This role will also require you to pass a colour vision assessment.

Why choose us to kickstart your career?

• Secure your future – Every apprentice is guaranteed a permanent position at the end of their scheme.
• A springboard to your career – You’ll receive structured training, a dedicated mentor, and high-quality learning to help shape your career.
• Inspire the next generation – You’ll have the chance to represent United Utilities at key events across the region, engaging with young people to bring careers in the water industry to life.
• Reward and benefits – There are lots of perks, including a competitive starting salary of £21,000, which will increase each year based on performance.
• Be part of the UU family – You’ll have the chance to network, bond, and learn from your colleagues and fellow apprentices.

We need fantastic people to help us deliver a great service to the public. We are committed to reaching and recruiting from every community, supporting our employees to achieve their full potential, and ensuring everyone feels valued and included, regardless of gender, age, race, disability, sexual orientation, or social background.

Please check and ensure that you are comfortable with the following points before you apply:

• It is essential that you live within a reasonable commuting distance of the base location of your apprenticeship.
• As part of your induction, you will attend a five-day residential trip to the Lake District. This is a fantastic opportunity to develop your skills in a beautiful setting with your fellow apprentices. Accommodation and boarding will be provided.
• During your apprenticeship, you may need to travel to your place of study. If you’re not local to your place of study, accommodation will either be provided or reimbursed by United Utilities during this period (excluding weekends).

Depending on the role that you are applying for, our recruitment process may require you to complete:

• An Online application form.
• Online tests.
• An in-person interview (and presentation) or assessment centre.
• A technical test.

If you are offered a job with us, a number of pre-employment checks will need to be carried out before your appointment can be confirmed. Any offer of employment with United Utilities will be subject to a satisfactory report from the Disclosure Scotland/ the Disclosure and Barring Service.

Please only apply for one apprenticeship role. Part of the assessment process will be to detail why you have applied for your selected apprenticeship vacancy.

Please note that we are unable to offer Visa sponsorship for this role. You must have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least three years before starting the apprenticeship.