Polymer Laboratory Technician Apprentice

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills, get support from experienced colleagues, and see how your work affects the products we send to customers.

What you’ll do at work

You’ll support both the Quality Control (QC) and Research & Development (R&D) teams, helping to test products, assess colour accuracy and carry out laboratory activities. This role is ideal for someone with a genuine interest in science, manufacturing, product development and innovation.

Your duties will include:

• Checking colours by eye and with instruments to make sure products meet customer and quality standards
• Testing production batches for colour shade, strength and consistency
• Recording results accurately and keeping laboratory documentation up to date
• Monitoring production samples and flagging anything that falls outside specification
• Helping the lab find new ways to work better
  Assisting with colour matching and formulation development projects
• Working closely with production and technical teams to solve quality issues
• Looking after laboratory equipment and keeping the lab clean, organised and safe
• Supporting product development by evaluating materials and processes
• Following laboratory procedures, health and safety requirements and quality standards at all times

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. Off-the-job training will follow the time allocations outlined in the Occupational Standard.

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.

Requirements

Essential qualifications

• GCSE English (Grade 4/C or above)
• GCSE Maths (Grade 4/C or above)
• GCSE Science (Grade 4/C or above)

Desired qualifications

• A Level Science (Grade Pass)
• BTEC (Level 3) Engineering (Grade Pass)

Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship 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 written and verbal communication skills
• 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
• 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

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.