Job Description
Materials Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3) - Hampshire County Council
Department: Science Apprenticeship - Materials L3
Employment Type: Apprentice
Location: Hampshire
Compensation: £25,186 - £26,244 / year
Location: Stockbridge Road, Micheldever, SO21 3BB
Expected Start Date: August 2026
Working for Hampshire County Council:
Based just outside Winchester, the County Highways Laboratory provides testing for both local authorities and the private sector. The laboratory is equipped to conduct over 50 specialised tests and is staffed by a team of experts dedicated to excellence in testing and analysis.
We are proud to be accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS); maintaining the highest levels of quality and reliability in our testing services. We check compliance against the required specifications and British / European Standards, therefore maximising safety and quality.
- Starting salary of £25,186/year - £26,244/year
- Workings hours are 37 hours per week
- Full details on benefits can be found HERE
Key Responsibilities
We are pleased to offer an opportunity for a Materials Technician Apprentice to join the team. You can develop towards performing the investigation and testing work both at the laboratory and on-site, working within the team to produce results. This can occasionally include working as part of a small team or independently at a client location.
- With a highly varied workload, no two days are ever the same – you could be working on site collecting samples, at the laboratory testing them, or writing up reports and undertaking quality checks.
- The role holder will be part of the materials testing team in the County Highways Laboratory, working alongside your colleagues to support and undertake the technical work of the laboratory on a day-to-day basis.
- You will be working on behalf of our clients to carry out a range of road pavement investigations and materials testing activities both within the laboratory (based in Micheldever) and out in the field.
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: You must be 18+ due to the nature of the working environment
Please note: A full UK manual driving licence is required for this role
Apprenticeship Eligibility
To apply for this apprenticeship, you must:
✔️ 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.
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Learn more about the programme here.
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.
