Materials Technician Apprentice (Level 3) - Balfour Beatty VINCI

Tiro; Kenilworth; On-site; GBP 23,000; Full time

Job description

Department: Science Apprenticeship - Materials L3

Location: Kenilworth

Compensation: £22,859 / year

Description

Location: Kenilworth, CV8 2LJ

Working for Balfour Beatty Vinci

Do you want the chance to say you were a part of history? If so, we're offering you the opportunity to work using cutting edge technology to test construction materials that will bring the dream of HS2 to life. HS2 is a state-of-the-art, high-speed line critical for the UK's low carbon transport future. In the West Midlands, HS2 is powered by two of construction's biggest employers: Balfour Beatty & VINCI (BBV). Both companies are committed to enhancing the lives of future generations by designing a transformational rail system that is admired around the world. They are also making HS2 a fantastic place to work for all – including increasing opportunities for women working in construction.

Don't take it from us, hear it from one of VINCI's top female apprentices:

"Working with BBV has given me the opportunity to increase my knowledge within all construction related sectors. Guidance and experience from individuals, such as consultants and principal engineers, has not only helped increase my knowledge, but has also helped me grow professionally and given me the confidence to communicate with people at all levels." – Kennedy McCarthy.

Do not miss out on this opportunity to change your future whilst being part of history!

The Package

At Tiro, we make great things happen for people. And that starts with you. In this role you'll receive:

• Starting salary of £22,859 per year
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Working hours are 40 hours per week (plus weekend overtime where needed. Shift work may be a requirement)
• Overtime available - uplift for working weekends and nightshifts (a lot of our technicians like to work these shifts for the extra money)
• Regular training and CPD opportunities
• START DATE: June 2025

What will I be doing as an apprentice?

As an Apprentice Materials Technician you'll be working in a laboratory but not as you know it! Be prepared to get mucky as you get to know your materials. This won't be a sterile environment and requires someone who's not afraid to get stuck in.

Working as part of a close-knit team, you won't be alone. You'll be supported and guided, learning on the job as you go, by a team of other apprentices and experienced materials technicians. Being an apprentice is hands-on, so you'll get the chance to learn things you might otherwise not have experienced in a university or college environment.

As a member of BBV HS2's laboratory team you'll push construction materials to their limits ensuring that they're safe and reliable to use. These materials will need to exist for many years to come without expensive maintenance, without damaging the structure and without endangering human life.

No two days are ever the same with Balfour Beatty VINCI. You'll not only spend time between testing on site and testing in the lab, but you'll also visit and work at several locations nearby – a great opportunity to meet others to aid professional progression and skill sharing.

What you'll be doing:

• Working alongside other team members, testing the properties of construction materials including concrete, aggregates, and asphalt.
• Improving the performance of existing products, to eliminate faults with materials already in use.
• Helping bring materials testing in the 21st century using new technologies (e.g. Switching over to automated processes, new ergonomic equipment or even new recording and reporting systems.)
• Developing an understanding, knowledge and practical methods used to examine materials, including non-destructive testing (NDT).
• Following testing methods to ensure safety and quality and to support the lab in maintaining its accreditation to operate.
• Travelling to and from sites, collecting materials to be tested.

Through training and development provided, you'll work towards excellence in the following areas:

• Undertake 21-month apprenticeship to Level 3.
• Ensure all work is undertaken safely in accordance with required processes
• Undertake testing of materials including aggregates, concrete, and asphalt in accordance with required standards, in the laboratory and on construction sites.
• Comply with the high standards of work required by the Quality Management Systems to required deadlines
• Maintain equipment to required standards as required by the Laboratory Manager
• Proactively communicate with senior staff to ensure effective communication
• Attend training courses and assessments as required by the apprenticeship standard and Balfour Beatty / Taylor Woodrow and maintain training records.

What could the future look like?

BBV is committed to developing emerging talent. Individuals can use the apprenticeship plans to jumpstart a successful career in a skilled industry through on-the-job training and online study. Our goal is to transform you into a fully competent technician, ideally open to accepting a full-time, permanent position within the team, with opportunities for progression in the future to:

• Level 4/5 Technician Scientist apprenticeship
• Senior technician (Average salary £29,015/year)
• Materials Engineer (Average salary £34,565/year)
• Laboratory Manager (Average salary £38,207/year)
• Project lead (Salary bonuses)

Through 'on-the-job' training you'll have the opportunity to learn many aspects of material testing and quality control. Whether you're interested in a technical or construction career, you'll have the chance to shape your future at BBV.

Not only that but the apprentice will have the opportunity to become a registered Science technician (RSci Tech).

Skills, Knowledge, and Expertise

Experience

Whilst previous experience is great, we at Tiro are always open to wildcards. We're not just interested in experience and qualifications; we're looking for someone with the right attitude and aptitude to fit right in at Balfour Beatty | Vinci.

Qualifications

It's about enthusiasm, not school results. In our experience the most successful apprentices are those who are driven to find out more about the sector, can be up front about what they do and don't already know, are considerate, self-reflective, and impatient to learn the job role!

About You

To succeed in this apprenticeship, you'll need bags of enthusiasm, be a fantastic collaborator and be hungry to learn!

You'll be an adaptable person, who loves some variation in your day to day role. You'll love working outdoors and thrive in the kind of environment where you can use your hands and get stuck in!

Please note, due to the location and site based nature of this position, you'll need to hold a valid UK driving license, be aged 18+ and be comfortable with manual handling.

Even if this doesn't sound quite like you, but you still think you could do a great job in the role, get in touch.

So how does the apprenticeship work?

At Tiro we're obsessed with changing lives through science and technology apprenticeships so we can't wait to have you on board.

Over 21 months, you'll devote a minimum of 6 hours of your working week on 'off the job' training. This can include theory training (for example, virtual lessons & online learning), alongside practical training (for example shadowing, mentoring, & time spent writing assignments. Together this will count towards a Level 3 Laboratory Technician apprenticeship. You'll be trained by an expert tutor from Tiro as well as an experienced mentor at BBV who together, will make sure you develop the knowledge, skills, and work habits you'll need to succeed in your career.

Being an apprentice is hands-on, so you'll get the chance to learn things you might otherwise not have experienced in a university or college environment.

The best part? You'll be earning a salary while you gain your qualifications, meaning no huge student loans to pay back at the end of the programme!

Want to know more. Check out the apprenticeship standards here.

Eligibility

While we never want to hinder your job application process with obstacles, there are some minimum requirements you'll need to meet in order to do an apprenticeship, these are rules set by the UK Government.

You'll need to be over 18, not in full time education, have lived in the UK for 3 years and have the right to work in the UK.

If you don't quite meet these minimum requirements yet, let us know you're interested here and we'll get in touch to discuss this further with you.