Key Takeaways
- Undertake a 24-month Level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship.
- Earn £16,750 per year while gaining practical lab experience and academic study.
- Develop essential scientific and workplace skills, with potential progression to a lab technician role.
- Applications close on 2026-11-22.
About the Role
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.
What You'll Learn
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.
Training
This is a 24-month apprenticeship followed by the End Point Assessment.
What Happens Next
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.
Entry Requirements
- GCSE 5 GCSES inc English and Maths (grade 4/C or above) - essential
- GCSE Combined Science or a separate science subject (grade 6/B or above) - essential
Key Details
- Wage: £16,750 a year
- Working hours: 37 hours per week (9 day fortnight)
- Duration: 2 Years
- Start date: 2027-09-01
- Closing date: 2026-11-22
- Apprenticeship standard: Laboratory technician (level 3)
- Training provider: AWE PLC