What you’ll do at work

Reporting to the Quality Manager, this role involves working in the Quality Control laboratory to ensure quality of raw materials, finished products, cartons, tins and accessories are of acceptable standard in accordance with specifications.

Perform regular assessments within Operations areas to verify Quality and Health&Safety standards are being followed, ensuring issues and potential non-conformances identified are formally captured to be investigated.

Key responsibilities - 

The successful individual will provide essential support and assistance to the team in the following key areas:

• Ensure full records are maintained of all raw materials and finished products analysis
• Inspect and re-test both raw material and finished products via retained sample storage testing
• Communicate with Operations, Purchasing and R&D departments regarding non-conformances

Where you’ll work - 
Belzona Polymerics Ltd, Claro Road, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG1 4DS

College or training organisation - 
COGENT SSC LIMITED

Your training course - 
Laboratory technician

Equal to Level 3 (A level)

Course contents - 
Comply with health and safety policies and procedures including HASWA, COSHH, risk assessments, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), manual handling, emergency procedures.
 
Maintain excellent housekeeping, in accordance with organisation Standard Procedures
 
Order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required
 
Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks applying the concepts of resource efficiency e.g energy, water and waste
 
Adhere to internal and external regulatory requirements e.g. GLP, GMP, GDP
 
Prepare for, and perform, laboratory experiments, tests or tasks following any specified methodologies to provide reliable, accurate data e.g. weighing, pipetting, filtering, spectroscopic techniques, chromatography techniques
 
Demonstrate technical competence in the use of specified instruments and equipment
 
Report faults and seek diagnostic advice to maintain equipment in good working order, including calibration where required
 
Complete documentation proficiently
 
Keep accurate records of laboratory work undertaken and results
 
Contribute to the preparation of reports.
 
Use simple statistical techniques for data presentation and evaluation e. g calculation of median and standard deviation, production of graphs
 
Demonstrate problem solving techniques including identification of sources of error and how they can be reduced e.g. human error
 
Use standard software packages and applications e.g. Microsoft Office suite
 
Use Laboratory Information Management systems to support their work
 
Address non-routine problems with samples and instrumentation, within defined areas
 
Identify relevant information from scientific sources e.g. supervisors, literature etc. in order to contribute to solutions
 
Participate in continuous performance improvement of systems and processes relevant to the work environment e.g. workplace organisation techniques, accreditation (e.g. ISO, UKAS) and proficiency testing.
 
Evaluate data, recognise and call attention to anomalous or unusual results
 
Comply with health and safety policies and procedures including HASWA, COSHH, risk assessments, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), manual handling, emergency procedures.
 
Maintain excellent housekeeping, in accordance with organisation Standard Procedures
 
Order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required
 
Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks applying the concepts of resource efficiency e.g energy, water and waste
 
Adhere to internal and external regulatory requirements e.g. GLP, GMP, GDP
 
Prepare for, and perform, laboratory experiments, tests or tasks following any specified methodologies to provide reliable, accurate data e.g. weighing, pipetting, filtering, spectroscopic techniques, chromatography techniques
 
Demonstrate technical competence in the use of specified instruments and equipment
 
Report faults and seek diagnostic advice to maintain equipment in good working order, including calibration where required
 
Complete documentation proficiently
 
Keep accurate records of laboratory work undertaken and results
 
Contribute to the preparation of reports.
 
Use simple statistical techniques for data presentation and evaluation e. g calculation of median and standard deviation, production of graphs
 
Demonstrate problem solving techniques including identification of sources of error and how they can be reduced e.g. human error
 
Use standard software packages and applications e.g. Microsoft Office suite
 
Use Laboratory Information Management systems to support their work
 
Address non-routine problems with samples and instrumentation, within defined areas
 
Identify relevant information from scientific sources e.g. supervisors, literature etc. in order to contribute to solutions
 
Participate in continuous performance improvement of systems and processes relevant to the work environment e.g. workplace organisation techniques, accreditation (e.g. ISO, UKAS) and proficiency testing.
 
Evaluate data, recognise and call attention to anomalous or unusual results
 
Your training plan - 
The Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3) with Cogent Skills is designed to equip learners with the practical skills, scientific knowledge, and safety awareness required to support high-quality laboratory operations across research, quality control, and product development environments. The programme develops technicians capable of delivering reliable experimental results, maintaining laboratory equipment, and contributing to continuous improvement in scientific processes.

The Level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship is delivered through a blended model combining online learning, workplace assessment, and practical workshops.

Delivery Model - 

• 1 day per week online knowledge delivery.
  Workplace-based assessment of laboratory competence.
  3-day practical workshop at the National STEM Centre, York.
  3-day exam residential at Cogent Skills Head Office, Warrington (if qualification chosen).
  Ongoing review and support throughout the programme.

More training information
Apprentices apply learning directly in their operational role, building scientific competence while contributing to laboratory productivity. Regular progress reviews ensure development aligns with employer requirements and pathway specialism.

• Essential qualifications
  GCSE English Language (Grade 4) essential
  GCSE Maths (Grade 4) essential
  GCSE Science (Grade 4) essential
  Desired qualifications
  GCSE Biology (Grade 4) desirable
  GCSE Chemistry (Grade 4) desirable
  Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

• Skills
  Communication skills
  Attention to detail
  Organisation skills
  Problem solving skills
  Analytical skills
  Logical
  Team working
  Health and Safety Awareness
  Knowledge of Microsoft Office
  Ability to Prioritise Tasks

About this company

Manufacturer of polymeric coating solutions.

www.belzona.com (opens in new tab)

Company Benefits

Pension - Employer - 5%, Employee - 5%, Private Medical insurance, Holidays - 23 days plus Bank Holidays, Holiday Buy back 3 days per annum may be carried over or sold back, Eyecare, Employee assistance, Onsite parking.
After this apprenticeship

Career advancement within the QC Dept i.e. to QC Technician, QC Supervisor. Opportunity to move into another role within the business once apprenticeship finished if a vacancy occurs.