Summary

Quality control role involving laboratory sampling, testing, measuring, recording and analysing results. You’ll provide technical support to ensure the laboratory operates effectively while following procedures and health and safety guidelines. You’ll also receive one-to-one coaching and support from a dedicated mentor.

Annual wage - £19,500 initially

Training course - Laboratory technician

Duration - 24 Months

Hours - Mon-Friday 8am or 8.30am start 37.5hours, Overtime paid, Shifts TBC

Start date - Monday 21 September 2026

Positions available - 1

Work - 

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

Quality Control position with BIM UK LTD Responsible for laboratory-based tasks, which include sampling, testing, measuring, recording and analysing results. You will also provide all the required technical support to enable the laboratory to function effectively whilst adhering to correct procedures and health and safety guidelines.

The individual will be working within a laboratory environment and must therefore adhere to site dress code procedures and personal hygiene standards during testing activities (e.g. correct use of PPE such as laboratory coats and glasses; and removal of all jewellery and make-up upon entry into controlled clean room areas).

Once trained on specific tasks, the role will involve working on your own initiative at times.  There may also be a requirement to take samples from the production facility and working on the pilot plant. Working on all aspects of the laboratory function including Quality Control and Development will be required. This will involve routine tasks

Typical work activities:

Tasks typically involve:

performing laboratory tests in order to produce reliable and precise data to support production activities.
carrying out routine tasks accurately and following strict methodologies to carry out analyses.
preparing samples. 
maintaining and operating a wide variety of analytical equipment.
supporting on plant, in process testing.
ensuring the laboratory is well-stocked and resourced.
maintain good accurate written records of work carried out.
recording and interpreting results to support production and ensure compliance.
using computers and performing mathematical calculations for the determination and presentation of results.
keeping up to date with technical developments, especially those which can save time and improve reliability.
conducting searches on relevant topics.
maintaining compliance with Management Systems.
following and ensuring strict safety procedures and safety checks.
to perform these duties in an accurate and timely manner.

Where you’ll work - PRINCE STREET, BOLTON, BL1 2NP

Training - 

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. 

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.

Requirements - 

Essential qualifications - 
GCSE English (Grade 4 and above) essential
GCSE Maths (Grade 4 and above) essential

Desired qualifications - 
A Level Chemistry (Grade C and above) desirable
A Level Maths (Grade C and above) desirable
A Level Physics (Grade C and above) 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
IT skills
Attention to detail
Organisation skills
Administrative skills
Number skills
Analytical skills
Logical
Team working
Initiative
Patience

Other requirements
Direct entry from school or college will normally require three A-levels (with one being Chemistry, Maths or Physics) or equivalent, equating to a minimum of 112 UCAS tariff points. Prospective candidates should also have maths and English GCSE grade A-C or equivalent. We will individually evaluate candidates who do not meet these requirements but have suitable work experience.

The Ideal candidate must be a good communicator, numerate and have an analytical and logical approach. You will need to have an aptitude for hands-on, laboratory work as this will form a major part of your Apprenticeship.

About this company - 

We develop, manufacture, apply and supply specialty chemical-based concepts, technology and service for the pulp and paper industry’s products and processes. In the UK we work extensively with the tissue industry, supplying both tissue manufacturers and tissue conversion customers. 

BIM was founded in 1973 in Sweden by Peter Wållberg and is today an international family entrepreneurial group, owned by the Wållberg family.

People - 

BIM has approx. 220 employees worldwide.

Research & development - 

BIM is a research intensive enterprise. Spending approx. 8 - 12% of sales on R & D, In terms of R&D spend the company in the same league as large pharmaceutical producers.

Head office in Sweden - 

The head office is in Stenkullen, near Göteborg, Sweden, where you also find central R&D, customer service lab and one of our 5 production centres.

Local operations - 

BIM has local sales operations in Sweden, Norway, Finland, England, Germany, Belgium, Czech Republic, Portugal, France, South Africa and agents and distributors in most other pulp and papermaking countries.

Company culture - 

We are devoted to the “BIM Spirit”, a company culture based on commitment, hard work, innovation and customer intimacy.

www.bimkemi.com

Company Benefits - 

Pension Scheme - Employer Amount - 5%

Holiday Entitlement - 25

After this apprenticeship - 

Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. 

Apprentice leading to permanent role.

The progression route can be to the technical team and into other aspects of the business, including operations or sales.

Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:

BIM UNITED KINGDOM LTD

The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000048690.