Apprentice Process Operator in Thornton-Cleveleys

We are looking for Apprentice Process Operators to join our Manufacturing Team. With big ambitions for the future, there has never been a better time to join Victrex! You will receive first-class on-the-job training from a dedicated team, whilst earning a competitive salary and an industry-recognised qualification. This opportunity is much more than a job; it is a development programme that has all the hallmarks to kickstart your career within a business with a very exciting agenda.

You will be joining a community of apprentices who have the ability to drive positive change through their work and shape a culture where everybody at Victrex thrives. Whether you are interested in joining one of our Employee Representation Groups (ERGs), becoming an ally, or supporting our STEM agenda, we will support you with your goals.

The Role

As a Process Operator Apprentice, you will attend a day release programme with our training provider Blackpool & the Fylde College, gaining a qualification as a Process Industry Manufacturing Technician. You will learn basic manufacturing and craft skills, giving you a great foundation to progress. Technicians run and maintain processes, ensuring quality and resolving issues as needed. They follow safety and environmental procedures, keep records, and prepare equipment for maintenance. They also support risk assessments, improvements, and audits.

On-site, you will be based within our Operations teams where you will undertake more formal in-house training for the duration, with a manufacturing-focused programme. Here are a few examples of what our Process Operators do:

• Operate the manufacturing process to the required quality and safety standards and relevant operating procedures.
• Work closely with the process team and interact with other departments like laboratory, maintenance, engineering, supply chain, and warehouse.
• Ensure products meet quality standards and production schedules while adhering to external manufacturing regulations for safety, sustainability, and compliance.
• Wear specialist PPE, such as safety glasses, chemical-resistant gloves, suits, footwear, or breathing apparatus.
• Work alone or in a team, responsible for the quality and accuracy of your work with minimal supervision.
• Maintain required standards of plant housekeeping to ensure safe and efficient working practices.
• Identify continuous improvement opportunities to support wider continuous improvement activities.

This Apprenticeship will give you an industry-recognised qualification, with many of our apprentices going on to additional study. The duration of this Apprenticeship Programme is 36 months, and if successful, you will join our 2026 Apprenticeship Intake in September.

About You

To be eligible for this programme, you need to have achieved or be on course for 5 GCSEs including English, Maths & a Science at Grade C/4 or above. We are also looking for the following skills/personal qualities:

• Communication Skills
• IT Skills
• Attention to Detail
• Organisation Skills
• Problem Solving Skills
• Analytical Skills
• Logical Thinking
• Teamworking
• Taking Initiative

Our Offer to You

We pay our apprentices a competitive wage at Victrex, so whilst you may be in training, you can be sure that you will be rewarded as your confidence and skills grow in role. This means your salary will increase on your journey to becoming a skilled and competent tradesperson. Apart from a great base salary, you will be enrolled in our company bonus scheme and, if eligible, invited to join our Company Pension Scheme where 5% employee contributions will attract contributions of 12% by Victrex! We offer private medical insurance and give employees 29 days annual leave per annum plus bank holidays, with the option of purchasing up to 2 additional weeks leave too.

You’ve Applied – now what?

So you’ve submitted an application to one of our Apprenticeship Programmes – nice work! The Talent Team will review your application in collaboration with the Hiring Manager and Training Providers to determine if you are eligible to undertake the Apprenticeship of your choice with us. Afterwards, the selection process might look like this:

• Stage 1 – Online Interview, Psychometric Assessments
• Stage 2 – Assessment Centre (this might include an interview, show & tell presentation, site tours, case study)

Our Apprenticeship Programmes are very popular, so please bear with us whilst we process your application. NO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES PLEASE. At present, we are not accepting any candidates via a recruitment agency or third party.

About Victrex

Victrex is an innovative world leader in high-performance PEEK (Poly Ether Ether Ketone) and PAEK (Poly Aryl Ether Ketone) polymer solutions focusing on the strategic markets of automotive, aerospace, energy and industrial, electronics, and medical. Every day, millions of people use products and applications containing our materials – from smartphones, aeroplanes, and cars to energy operations and medical devices.

With over 40 years of experience, we are developing world-leading solutions with PEEK and PAEK-based polymers and selected semi-finished and finished parts which enable environmental and societal benefit for our customers and our markets and drive value for our shareholders.

Vision and Culture

At Victrex, we have a clear purpose: to deliver transformational and sustainable solutions that address global material challenges. Our core values of passion, innovation, and performance are at the heart of everything we do. We are a company that thrives on human-centred leadership, valuing curiosity, adaptability, and collaboration in a fast-paced, digitally enabled world.

We believe in empowering individuals, rather than seeing barriers to progress. We are looking for individuals who are comfortable working in an environment that values digital and AI-driven solutions, who see technology as an enabler rather than a challenge. At Victrex, we foster a culture of continuous learning, agility, and adaptability, where employees are encouraged to embrace new ways of working, leverage data-driven insights, and drive meaningful change.

As we continue to evolve, we need people who are not just contributors but change accelerators – individuals who champion innovation and drive transformation with a growth mindset. Whether through digitalisation, process improvement, or human-centred leadership, our employees play a crucial role in shaping the future of our business.

Our leadership approach is built on empowerment, inclusion, and collaboration. We value people who lead with empathy and authenticity, fostering a workplace where diverse perspectives and ideas can thrive. We work hard to ensure that our teams are engaged, motivated, and equipped to navigate an ever-changing landscape.

Sustainability is core to our strategy. We are committed to reducing our environmental footprint while supporting society through our sustainable products and making a positive impact on our local communities. We are proud to be recognised as a ‘Disability Confident’ employer and to be voted as one of the best places to work by ‘The Sunday Times’ in 2024!

Our aim is to provide the support of accessibility and community within Victrex for everyone. If you need any help, advice, or just want a confidential chat regarding any Diversity, Equity, or Inclusion matters even before you apply to Victrex, then here is what you need to know: The enabling support that Victrex prides itself on giving starts from when anyone applies or wants to apply to join our team. We are always here to help provide any ‘reasonable adjustments’ you may need during your application process. Please contact us to discuss your specific requirements in more depth.

Victrex values diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community.