Tiro
Construction Materials Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3) - Balfour Beatty VINCI
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Science Apprenticeship - Materials L3
Location: Birmingham
Compensation: £26,437 / year
Description
Location: M6 Motorway (“M6 Loop) N21 Gate 17, Laboratory, Off Coleshill Heath Road, Coleshill, Birmingham, B46 3HN
Expected Start Date: ASAP
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.
Do not miss out on this opportunity to change your future whilst being part of history!
The Package
- Starting salary of £26,436.80 per year (National Living Wage)
- 25 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
- 40 hours per week, Monday to Friday
- Early start times of 6:30am–7:00am
- Opportunity for overtime, including enhanced rates for weekend and night shifts
- Ongoing training and CPD opportunities to support your development
Key Responsibilities
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.
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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.
About You
You’re someone who enjoys being out on site and part of real-world projects, rather than sitting behind a desk. Working outdoors, travelling between locations, and being involved in construction environments appeals to you - you like seeing how things are built and playing a role in making sure they’re done properly.
You’re practical, reliable, and detail-focused. You take pride in following procedures accurately, whether that’s measuring materials, carrying out tests, or recording results. You understand that quality and safety matter, especially in a busy site environment, and you’re comfortable working to clear standards and deadlines without cutting corners.
You learn best by doing and enjoy hands-on work using equipment and tools. You’re confident with basic maths and recording data, and you stay calm and focused even when working around machinery or in fast-paced environments. You’re happy working independently once trained, but also communicate clearly with site teams to ensure work is completed safely and correctly.
You’re motivated by being part of something tangible - contributing to projects like roads, buildings, and infrastructure - and you’re keen to build a long-term career in the construction or materials testing industry.
Please note: Due to insurance requirements, applicants must be 21 or over and hold a full UK manual driving licence
Apprenticeship Eligibility
To Apply For This Apprenticeship, You Must
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- Be 16 or over
- Not be in full-time education
- Have lived in the UK for at least 3 years
- Have the right to work in the UK
Apprenticeships are designed to provide new knowledge, skills and behaviours, so applicants should not already hold a Level 3, degree or higher qualification in a closely related subject, or have significant experience in the same field.
If you’re unsure whether you meet the criteria, we’d still love to hear from you - get in touch and we can advise you further.
So how does the apprenticeship work?
Start your career as a materials technician and gain hands-on experience supporting real testing and analysis in a laboratory or technical environment.
As part of this Level 3 Materials Technician apprenticeship, you’ll learn how to carry out tests, analyse data, and contribute to important projects, whether that’s in a laboratory or a more practical, site-based environment.
👉 Learn more about the programme here.
Over 20 months, you’ll combine day-to-day experience in your role with structured training delivered by expert tutors at Tiro. Our blended learning approach includes a mix of online sessions, in-person training, and hands-on support, alongside guidance from a dedicated mentor in the workplace.
You’ll spend at least 6 hours per week on off-the-job training, including virtual learning, practical activities, and applied assignments.
What your training will look like:
You’ll follow a structured programme combining live sessions, online learning, and hands-on workplace training to build your skills step by step.
What could your future look like?
This apprenticeship will help you build the skills and experience needed to start your career as a materials technician and progress within the industry.
Through hands-on training, you’ll develop the competence and confidence to carry out laboratory testing and take on increasing responsibility in your role. This programme can also lead to professional recognition, such as becoming a Registered Science Technician (RSciTech).
You’ll gain experience that’s valued across a wide range of technical and scientific roles, opening up opportunities to grow and specialise in your chosen field.
If you choose to continue your development, you may also have the opportunity to progress onto higher-level qualifications, such as degree apprenticeships in Materials or Chemistry.
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