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Laboratory Technician Chemistry Apprenticeship
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Laboratory Technician Chemistry Apprenticeship
Location: Gosport (PO12 2DL)
Closing in: 23 days (Sunday 8 November 2026)
Posted on: 15 October 2026
Summary
Based within Defence Radiation Protection Services (DRPS) at Alverstoke, you will join a team of scientists and technicians who help monitor radiation exposure and support safety across UK defence programmes.
Wage: £16,750 a year
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab): A starting salary of £16,750 yearly, increasing to £24,500 in Year 2, with further annual salary increases throughout your apprenticeship, subject to satisfactory performance and achievement of apprenticeship milestones.
Benefits:
- Market leading contributory pension scheme
- Generous paid holiday entitlement of 270 hours per year, inclusive of Bank Holidays, plus every other Friday off as part of AWE’s flexible working pattern.
Training
Training course: Laboratory technician (level 3)
Hours:
- 9 day fortnight.
- 33 hrs on the short week, 8hrs 15 mins per day.
- 41 hrs on the long week, 8hrs 15 mins per day Monday to Thursday and Fridays 8hrs.
Please note hours may alter due to your offsite training establishment training times.
Start date: Wednesday 1 September 2027
Duration: 2 years
Positions available: 2
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
You will work in a unique scientific environment, helping with practical laboratory work that supports people, the environment and national security. This apprenticeship combines practical, hands-on laboratory experience with academic study at college, providing you with the technical knowledge, practical skills and professional behaviours needed to build a successful career in science.
Throughout the programme, you will work alongside experienced scientists and technicians. You will learn how laboratories operate, how samples are prepared and tested, and how results are recorded and reported. You will also learn why accuracy, safety and following procedures are so important in a scientific workplace.
During your apprenticeship, you will learn how to:
- Work safely in a laboratory and understand how to protect yourself, others and the environment
- Handle, store and dispose of laboratory materials safely
- Follow good laboratory practice and understand why quality checks matter
- Prepare and process samples ready for testing
- Carry out scientific tests and understand what the results mean
- Use, check and look after laboratory equipment
- Record results clearly, look for patterns and report your findings
- Work carefully, accurately and follow step-by-step procedures
- Solve problems and suggest ways to improve how work is done
- Communicate clearly and work well with other people
You will also take part in activities that help you develop confidence and workplace skills, such as team-building sessions, professional skills workshops and opportunities to meet other people starting their careers.
Where you'll work
Crescent Road Gosport PO12 2DL
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider: AWE PLC
Training course: Laboratory technician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
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What you'll learn
- 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
Training schedule
Please note this is a 24 month apprenticeship followed by the End Point Assessment.
More training information
Please note that the training provider for this apprenticeship will be an external organisation and is yet to be confirmed. We will share details once they are finalised.
Training may be delivered through either day release or block release, depending on the provider and apprenticeship programme.
Due to the security requirements associated with this apprenticeship, applicants must be British Nationals and be aged 18 or over by 31st August 2027.
Requirements
Essential qualifications
- GCSE in: 5 GCSES inc English and Maths (grade 4/C or above)
- Combined Science or a separate science subject (grade 6/B or above)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Administrative skills
- Logical
- Team working
Other requirements Due to the security requirements associated with this apprenticeship, applicants must be British Nationals and be aged 18 or over by 31st August 2027.
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Start Date: 1st September 2027
Annual leave will not be granted from 1st September until 1st October due to mandatory inductions you are required to complete as part of your apprenticeship. Any leave approved after this point will depend on the training provider requirements for your apprenticeship and must be agreed in advance.
These roles are governed by Health and Safety at Work Regulations and require all candidates to have an Occupational Health pre-employment medical held at AWE which follows the initial selection process.
All candidates must be willing and able to obtain and maintain the necessary security clearance for the role and be willing and able to work in designated areas.
Our ambition is to create workplaces where we recognise and celebrate differences, encourage diverse contributions and our employees feel able to be themselves at work. We strive to create a genuine culture of openness and inclusion and encourage diverse applicants.
If you choose to share information on your application form about support needs, learning differences, disabilities, health conditions or adjustments, we may contact you to understand how we can support you through the recruitment process. This information will only be used for this purpose and will be handled in line with GDPR.
About this employer
We’re a team of remarkable people, united by one extraordinary mission: keeping the UK safe and secure. The UK’s independent nuclear deterrent has existed for 75 years to deter the most extreme threats to our national security and way of life, helping to guarantee our safety, and that of our NATO allies. Our work is critical. We’re delivering Astraea, the next warhead for the UK’s nuclear deterrent and pushing the boundaries of nuclear science and technology.
But that’s just part of the story. We support the UK government in a range of vital areas – from counter-terrorism to global nuclear test monitoring to building a world-class community of experts in nuclear science. This is work that protects lives and strengthens national security.
At AWE, you’ll find more than just a job. You’ll find purpose, growth, and a community like no other. Whether you're just starting out or looking to take your career to the next level, this is your chance to learn from the best, develop your skills, and be part of something truly unique.
Be extraordinary at AWE.
Company benefits
- Access to employee discounts portal - everyday savings on retail, hospitality and leisure.
- Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health Services.
- Alongside these benefits, you will learn from experienced specialists in their fields while contributing to work that supports national nuclear security, threat reduction and counter-terrorism.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
After successfully completing your apprenticeship, you would move into a laboratory technician role within DRPS at Alverstoke, supporting a range of scientific programmes and laboratory activities.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is: AWE PLC Early Careers
Email: earlycareers@awe.co.uk
Reference code: VAC200
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