Based just outside Winchester, the County Highways Laboratory provides testing for both local authorities and the private sector. The laboratory is equipped to conduct over 50 specialised tests and is staffed by a team of experts dedicated to excellence in testing and analysis.
We are proud to be accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS); maintaining the highest levels of quality and reliability in our testing services. We check compliance against the required specifications and British / European Standards, therefore maximising safety and quality.
We are pleased to offer an opportunity for a Materials Technician Apprentice to join the team. You can develop towards performing the investigation and testing work both at the laboratory and on-site, working within the team to produce results. This can occasionally include working as part of a small team or independently at a client location.
With a highly varied workload, no two days are ever the same – you could be working on site collecting samples, at the laboratory testing them, or writing up reports and undertaking quality checks.
The role holder will be part of the materials testing team in the County Highways Laboratory, working alongside your colleagues to support and undertake the technical work of the laboratory on a day-to-day basis.
You will be working on behalf of our clients to carry out a range of road pavement investigations and materials testing activities both within the laboratory (based in Micheldever) and out in the field.
About You
You’re naturally curious about how materials behave and enjoy understanding why they perform the way they do, not just following instructions. You take pride in getting things right, paying close attention to detail, and producing accurate, reliable results. Whether you’ve explored science before or are just starting out, you’re motivated to build real knowledge and develop a long-term career in a materials testing laboratory.
You’re someone who thrives in a structured setting. You like clarity, routine, and knowing what good looks like. Following standardised test methods, working with laboratory equipment, and carefully preparing samples and recording data feels satisfying rather than restrictive. You’re patient, focused, and comfortable repeating precise tasks because you understand that consistency and accuracy are essential for high-quality results.
You take safety, quality standards, and laboratory procedures seriously, and you approach your work with a calm, methodical mindset. You’re just as comfortable working independently as you are communicating clearly with colleagues, supervisors, and engineers. You’re motivated by analysing results, understanding why materials pass or fail, and progressing over time, building your skills step by step and becoming a trusted expert in materials testing.
Please note: You must be 18+ due to the nature of the working environment
Please note: A full UK manual driving licence is required for this role
Apprenticeship Eligibility
To apply for this apprenticeship, you must:
✔️ Be 16 or over ✔️ Not be in full-time education ✔️ Havelived 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.
