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Materials technician apprenticeships

Engineering and maintenance | Manufacturing | Science and research

Materials technician apprenticeships - where to start

You can get into this job through

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role


    • College

    You could do a college course to learn some of the skills you'll need for this job. Courses include: 

    • Level 3 Certificate in Laboratory Technical Skills 
    • Level 3 Diploma in Engineering 
    • Level 3 Diploma in Applied Science 
    • T Level in Design, Surveying and Planning
    You may need 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science for a Level 3 course or T Level. 

    Apprenticeship
    You could start by doing a non-destructive tester Level 2 or 3 apprenticeship. You could also do a composites technician Level 3 apprenticeship. You'll usually need 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science.

    Work
    You could start as a lab assistant or trainee technician in a testing facility and complete training while you work to qualify. Employers will expect you to have 4 or 5 GCSEs, including maths, English and a science, preferably physics or chemistry. Some may want you to have A-Levels, or equivalent qualifications like applied science. 

    Materials technician apprenticeships - what it takes

    Skills and knowledge

    You'll need: 

    • knowledge of engineering science and technology 
    • maths knowledge
    • the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning 
    • knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
    • knowledge of physics 
    • analytical thinking skills 
    • to be thorough and pay attention to detail 
    • knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
    • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

    Materials technician apprenticeships - what you'll do

    Day-to-day tasks

    You will: 

    • test materials' strength and flexibility under different conditions
    • test materials' characteristics, like chemical composition 
    • assess the cost, reliability, safety and environmental impact of materials 
    • research new ways to use materials in the development of products 
    • assess the risks posed by hazardous materials 
    • analyse test results and write reports
    Working environment
    You could work in a laboratory. You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

    Career path and progression - Materials technician apprenticeships

    You could become a senior technician and register with the Engineering Council to get EngTech status. With further training, you could qualify as a materials engineer. You could also move into purchasing, sales and management.

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    Considering an Apprenticeship?

    There are lots of benefits to apprenticeships, here are our top 5:

    • Paid Training
      Not only will your organisation (or the Government) pay for all of your training, but you’ll be paid to do it. That means you could actually get paid to get your degree and have no debt!
    • Range of career opportunities
      There are over 625 different apprenticeships to choose from, in a range of industries. Whether you’re interested in law, marketing, construction or engineering, you’ll find something up your street!
    • Earn & learn
      As an apprentice, the minimum you’ll earn is £6.20 an hour, but we’ve seen apprentices earn a starting salary of up to £30,000 a year! You could also get other employee benefits like gym memberships, paid holiday and sick pay.
    • Great career prospects
      Employers think apprentices are 15% more employable than those with other qualifications. In fact, many large employers train their graduates and apprentices together!
    • Learn on the job
      There’s only so much you can learn when you just do a qualification. As an apprentice, you’ll also get to learn on the job - whether that’s designing amazing graphics, chopping vegetables or building engines!

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