Find an apprenticeship
Polymer Laboratory Technician Apprentice
Get notified of more jobs like this · No spam, ever
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Polymer Laboratory Technician Apprentice
PRISMA COLOUR LTD
HIGH PEAK (SK22 1AH)
Closes in 30 days (Thursday 12 November 2026 at 11:59pm)
Posted on 12 October 2026
Summary
We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Laboratory Technician Apprentice to join our Quality Control and Colour Development Laboratory. This is an exciting opportunity to gain hands-on experience within a busy laboratory environment while working towards a Level 3 Polymer Processing Technician Apprenticeship.
Wage
£15,600 to £24,784.50, depending on your age
National Minimum Wage
Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)
Wage
National Minimum Wage (age dependent)
Training course
Polymer processing technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday to Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm. 37.5 hours per week. Paid overtime opportunities may be available once fully trained.
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 support both the Quality Control (QC) and Research & Development (R & D) teams, helping to test products, assess colour accuracy, carry out laboratory activities and maintain high quality standards. This role is ideal for someone with a genuine interest in science, manufacturing, product development and innovation. As part of your apprenticeship, your duties will include:
- Conducting visual and instrumental colour assessments to ensure products meet customer and quality standards.
- Testing production batches for colour shade, strength and consistency.
- Recording and maintaining accurate laboratory results and documentation.
- Monitoring production samples and reporting any out-of-specification results.
- Supporting continuous improvement activities within the laboratory.
- Assisting with colour matching and formulation development projects.
- Working closely with production and technical teams to resolve quality issues.
- Maintaining laboratory equipment and ensuring the laboratory is kept clean, organised and safe.
- Supporting product development activities and evaluating materials and processes.
- Following laboratory procedures, health and safety requirements and quality standards at all times.
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
THE S & A TRANSFORM GROUP LIMITED
Training course
Polymer processing technician (level 3)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents:
- Review instructions or information. For example, work instructions, sampling requirements, drawings dimensioning, labelling, formulations, machine settings.
- Plan task and identify and organise resources with consideration for safety, environmental impact, security, quality and cost.
- Identify and document hazards and risks in the workplace.
- Apply health, safety, and environmental procedures in compliance with regulations and standards. For example, daily machine checks, wearing personal protective equipment.
- Apply sustainability principles for example, in choice of materials, minimising waste.
- Segregate resources for reuse, recycling, and handling.
- Select, check, and prepare materials for polymer processing for example, weighing, control and blending, and conditioning.
- Select, configure (for example, replace or change inserts) and check mould tools, formers, dies or other process equipment.
- Check installation and function of processing equipment for the process.
- Connect service connections such as water, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic.
- Check hand tools, equipment and machinery including calibration record where applicable.
- Set or check machine settings using instructions such as temperature, pressure, speed or time, distance.
- Adjust machine setting for the speeds, positions, pressures and safety of the mould tool, former or die movement to meet product specification.
- Start up manufacturing processes.
- Monitor process feedback and adjust process parameters.
- Shut down manufacturing processes.
- Devise machine settings such as temperature, pressure, speed or time, distance for new or modified equipment, tooling or material.
- Test and evaluate machine settings for new or modified equipment, tooling or material.
- Select and apply optimal machine settings for new or modified equipment, tooling or material (for example, capability study).
- Interpret data for example, process data, quality control and test procedure data.
- Use data to inform action.
- Identify process faults and resolve.
- Apply post processing techniques for example, assembly, printing, decorating, cooling operations, packing, and labelling.
- Follow quality assurance processes during manufacture.
- Perform quality control checks. For example, conduct parameter checks (size, colour, weight), and take samples.
- Identify quality issues and resolve for example, defects, maintenance requirements.
- Escalate issues outside limits of responsibility.
- Apply preventative maintenance practices. For example, checking guarding, lubrication, cleaning of tooling, safety checks, and inspection for wear and tear.
- Apply continuous improvement techniques. Devise suggestions for improvement. For example, improving the effectiveness of existing production, improving the energy consumption or waste profile of processes and procedures to improve the sustainability or carbon footprint of a product, process or task.
- Apply team working principles.
- Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
- Record or enter information - paper based or electronic. For example, process and production records, traceability records, and quality assurance records.
- Present information. Communicate in written form in the workplace for example, handover notes or emails, non-conformances, design change requests, technical reports.
- Use information and digital technology.
- Comply with GDPR and cyber security regulations and policies.
- Plan how to meet personal development needs.
- Carry out and record planned and unplanned continued professional development (CPD) activities.
- Evaluate CPD against plans made.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Requirements
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Essential qualifications
- GCSE in: English (grade 4/C or above)
- GCSE in: Maths (grade 4/C or above)
- GCSE in: Science (grade 4/C or above)
Desirable qualifications
- A Level in: Science (grade Pass)
- BTEC in: Engineering (grade Pass)
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience.
The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Problem solving skills
- Number skills
- Team working
- Basic IT
- Positive attitude
Other requirements
Desired Skills and Personal Qualities
- Essential
- Good numeracy and literacy skills.
- Strong attention to detail and accuracy.
- Good communication skills, both written and verbal.
- Basic IT skills, including Microsoft Office.
- Ability to follow instructions, procedures and laboratory methods accurately.
- Ability to keep accurate records and data.
- Reliable, punctual and well organised.
- Positive attitude and willingness to learn.
- Able to work independently and as part of a team.
- Strong problem-solving skills and curiosity to understand how products and processes work.
- Able to work safely and follow laboratory procedures.
- Important
- Excellent colour vision is essential due to the visual colour assessment requirements of the role.
- Desirable
- Interest in chemistry, materials science, plastics, polymers, coatings, colour technology or manufacturing.
- Previous experience in a laboratory, manufacturing or technical environment.
- Experience using laboratory equipment or carrying out practical scientific experiments.
- Interest in product development and innovation.
About this employer
Prisma Colour Limited is a leading global supplier of colour concentrates and additives to the thermoplastics, rubber, silicone and surface coatings industries, supplying customers in over 55 countries worldwide.
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab). Successful completion of the apprenticeship may lead to a permanent position within Prisma Colour's technical team, with opportunities to progress into Quality Control, Product Development, Research & Development, Colour Matching or other specialist technical roles.
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
THE S & A TRANSFORM GROUP LIMITED
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000058517.
Apply now
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills