Level 3 Materials Testing Technician

Materials Testing technicians play a crucial role in a wide range of organisations. They work at the cutting edge of technology, whether in a laboratory or out in the field, performing both routine and unique laboratory testing and offering technical support across their organisation.

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Qualification

Level 3

Subject area

Science

Course type

Apprenticeship

Course length

2 Years

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What is a Materials Testing Technician?

The Materials Testing Technician apprenticeship is an extension of our popular Laboratory Technician programme. It’s been developed in partnership with leading organisations in the construction industry to address a skills shortage across major infrastructure projects.

An apprenticeship on the Materials Testing Technician programme is a step towards a rewarding career in construction. You could find yourself working on projects like the HS2 high-speed rail link, the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station, or building smart motorways. These projects carry an immense risk and often have to be guaranteed for over 100 years, so Materials Testing is crucial.

Skilled technicians are there to make sure every task is performed safely, and in line with industry guidelines and standards.

What will I learn?

This programme is designed to enable existing team members or new recruits to develop the knowledge skills, and behaviours needed to fulfil their vital role.

Our apprenticeship will train you in the highest standards of safety and quality in laboratory environments. You’ll develop the technical knowledge of scientific methods and techniques, including following standard operating procedures, problem solving and interacting with laboratory information management systems.

You’ll learn to follow and conduct risk assessments, analyse simple and complex data sets and understand the legal and ethical requirements for your industry. You ‘ll learn to accurately conduct and document laboratory experiments, tests and tasks.

In addition to technical competence, you’ll also learn the importance of effective communication with different audiences. Our programmes instil strong values of teamwork, time management and a commitment to professional development.

What next?

Once you’ve qualified, you’ll qualify to be a Technician Member (TIMMM) of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3). You will also be eligible to join the Register of Science Technicians (RSciTech) through an appropriate industry body.

Successful apprentices can often find themselves fast-tracked into senior technician and management roles. Or they might go on to a higher level apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

Grade C/4 in Maths and English ideal, but not essential

Delivery and Assessment

Our programmes are delivered through blended learning, a flexible approach which suits the varied contexts of our learners and employers. Apprentices benefit from both online and in-person input with the support of our Practice Tutors and Module Tutors. In the final three months of the programme you’ll prepare and undertake an End Point Assessment.

Progression

Higher Level Apprenticeship

Career Opportunities

Senior Materials Technician roles
Leadership and Management

Typical job roles

Materials Testing Technician
Field Technician
Laboratory Assistant
Environmental Technician
Science Technician

Course modules

Module Breakdown Optional Modules

Module 1

Health & Safety

You will learn how to work safely and discover regulations specific to your organisation.

Module 2

LIMS & Document Control

Teaching the importance of Lab Information Management Systems (LIMS) and and how they are utilised in the workplace.

Module 3

Communication Skills

At this stage you will be getting more familiar with your organisation, carrying out research tasks and communicating with your colleagues to gather information.

Module 4

Testing & Analysis

Here you'll learn the purposes of testing and move on through health and safety, preparation, recording results and presenting data.

Module 5

Lab Practice and Housekeeping

Here you'll master general laboratory housekeeping in line with local health and safety procedures. You'll learn how the security and integrity of the workplace are pivotal to your role.

Module 6

Quality Procedures

You'll discover the quality requirements both internally and externally to your organisation and how these requirements lead to reliable and accurate scientific work within your organisation.

Module 7

Problem Solving and Error Reporting

In this module, you'll learn all about different types of problem solving approaches and their application to your workplace. Alongside this you'll also learn about the importance of error reporting and the role this has in problem solving and quality centric processes.

Module 8

Continuous Professional Development

You'll learn how you can support your own development. You'll learn how this can be implemented within a workplace and how to manage your own performance.

Module 9

End Point Assessment

In the final three months, you'll prepare and undertake an end-point assessment.

Module 1

Geology

Introduction and overview.
Minerals.
Igneous petrology.
Metamorphism.
Sedimentary.
Structural geology.

Module 2

Concrete

A brief history.
Concrete standards and safe usage.
Concrete strength.
Concrete deterioration.
Cement.
Aggregates.
Concrete additions.
Mix design.

Module 3

Environmental Science

The living environment.
Ecosystems.
Conservation.
Impact to the environment.
Global environment.
Monitoring the environment.
Environmental science in the media.

Hear from current apprentices

"I started as an apprentice at St Richards in September 2021. I really enjoyed the learning on the job and the online learning of the course content. The school was really supportive and was very flexible with how I completed my apprenticeship. I completed my apprenticeship in Jan 2023 and was supported the whole way through by the mentor from the school and the tutor from Tiro. Once I finished my apprenticeship, I had the opportunity to progress to senior science technician. I have learnt so much in just a short time and have really enjoyed it and all the opportunities that have arisen during this time."

Emily Barr Level 3 Laboratory Technician - St Richards Catholic College

"The main surprise from this apprenticeship is that I learned practical and transferable skills that I did not learn from university, that can be transferred into other workplaces."

Liam Boyes Materials Technician Apprentice - Aggregate Industries

"I struggled a lot early on in my apprenticeship and to be honest at one point I did honestly think I wasn’t going to be able to finish it. Looking back now that would have been a huge mistake! During my apprenticeship I was always made to feel equal with others and shared equal responsibility, often working independently on site and in the lab carrying out UKAS Accredited tests. "

Jack Hodson Materials Technician Apprentice - Balfour Beatty Vinci

"With all the knowledge I have gained through Tiro and KEVICC, I believe that I can take on any challenges I face. "

Patrisia Hincheva Laboratory Technician Apprentice - King Edward VI Community College

"The Level 3 program has taught me how to balance work on top of education, and I now feel confident to study at Degree level. The experience I have gained at Waters has made me grow as a professional. Without all of this I would not be able to take the next step into a Level 6 apprenticeship. "

Alexandra Lee Laboratory Technician Apprentice - Waters Corporation

"An apprenticeship has benefited me in many ways it has given me an insight on the industry I am in and it has made my confidence grow and grow. It’s also has given me experience and knowledge in the workplace."

Zeeshan Palmer Business Administration Apprentice at Harris City Academy Crystal Palace

"The whole experience taught me some valuable life lessons, and it’s given me a career with huge responsibilities. I have really matured thanks to the phenomenal support I’ve had from the company to progress my career"

Jerry Nickle Apprentice

Tilly Jackson Apprentice

Alice Field Apprentice

"I love the event organisation part of my role, so I’m keen to specialise in events after my apprenticeship"

Lucy Gardener Apprentice

Dan Gardener Materials Technician Apprentice - Balfour Beatty

"I love being an apprentice as I can learn and earn. For example, learning helps me understand how things are operated in a business and it helps me to understand what needs to be done in a business. I also love being an apprentice because it develops me as a person and makes me grow in the industry I am in."

Zeeshan Palmer Business Administration Apprentice at Harris City Academy Crystal Palace.

What makes this programme great?

Here are a few reasons why our programmes are unique

Expert Tutors – our training team has real-world Science and Technology experience, academic qualifications up to PhD level, and a wealth of teaching expertise.
Science and Technology through and through – our employers work on everything from earthworks to networks, and from cancerous cells to concrete.
Flexible – our learning programmes are built with employers, for employers. They’re modularised and flexible, to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours you need. And all the training is delivered through a flexible mix of online and on-site training.
Apprentices you need, when you need them – we understand businesses resourcing needs won’t stick to anyone else’s schedule. We don’t work to arbitary start dates around the academic calendar or tax years. We’ll find and start your apprentices on programme whenever you need them.

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Contact us for more information about this course

Interested and have more questions? Get in touch with one of Tiro’s Experts who’ll take time to listen and understand what you’re looking for, answering all your questions and seeking to find the right solution just for you!

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