Materials Engineering Technician Apprenticeship (Level 3) – Sika
Department: Science Apprenticeship – Materials L3
Employment Type: Apprentice
Location: Welwyn Garden City
Compensation: £28,860 / year
Description
Location: Site C, Watchmead, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL7 1BQ
Sika is a global leader in specialty chemicals, driving innovation across construction and industrial manufacturing. Within our Industry business, we support manufacturers with advanced adhesive, bonding, sealing, and structural solutions used in automotive production and general manufacturing.
Since 1910, Sika has built a reputation as a trusted partner, combining technical expertise with high-performance products to solve real-world challenges. Today, operated in over 100 countries, our teams work closely with customers to ensure adhesive technologies and materials perform reliably in demanding production environments.
Our Technical Services function sits at the heart of this – testing, validating, and supporting the use of adhesive technologies in customer applications. Through laboratory testing, technical knowledge, and close collaboration with customers and internal teams, we help ensure quality, reduce risk, and drive continuous improvement.
At Sika, it’s not just about the products we create, but how we apply them, support our customers, and use technical expertise to make a measurable impact.
The Package
- Starting salary: £28,860 per year
- Monday – Friday, 37.5 hours per week
- 8:00am – 5:00pm
- 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays
- Company pension
What will I be doing as an apprentice?
We are pleased to offer an opportunity for a Materials Technician Apprentice to join Sika’s Technical Services team, supporting the testing and evaluation of adhesive technologies and their interaction with different materials used across a wide range of industrial applications.
This apprenticeship provides a strong foundation for a career in materials science and technical services, offering hands‑on experience in laboratory testing, real‑world manufacturing environments, and the development of practical technical skills within a global business.
Summary of duties
- Support the day‑to‑day running of the Technical Services laboratory, assisting with materials testing and report writing
- Carry out testing on adhesive technologies with a variety of substrates, following standard procedures to ensure accurate and reliable results
- Help maintain a safe, organised laboratory environment, including equipment calibration and materials management
- Record, monitor, and store test data and samples in line with Sika’s quality and EHS standards
- Develop knowledge of Sika products, adhesive applications, and testing methods through hands‑on experience and training
- Assist with technical enquiries and begin to contribute to problem‑solving activities as your skills develop
- Work collaboratively with teams across Technical Services, Product Management, and Sales
- Support customer visits and gain insight into how adhesive solutions are applied within real manufacturing processes
- Complete apprenticeship studies alongside practical training, working towards a recognised qualification
- Build the skills and experience needed to progress into a technical or specialist role within Sika
Skills, Knowledge, and Experience
This is a hands‑on, practical role within a laboratory environment, so you’ll need to be comfortable with testing activities and working with a range of materials and equipment.
We’re looking for someone who is methodical, detail‑focused, and can follow testing procedures carefully, record accurate results, and spot potential issues.
A curious mindset and willingness to learn will help you understand how materials behave and perform.
You’ll have a strong awareness of health and safety, with the ability to follow laboratory and EHS procedures to ensure a safe working environment at all times.
No two days will be the same, so you’ll need to be adaptable and able to work both independently and as part of a team. Good communication skills are important, as you’ll be working closely with colleagues.
Experience
We value attitude, curiosity, and commitment as much as past experience. While previous experience can be helpful, it’s not essential. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, especially those with a genuine interest and motivation to build a career.
Qualifications
It’s about enthusiasm, not school results. Successful apprentices are driven to learn, self‑reflective, and eager to take on new challenges.
How the apprenticeship works
Start your career as a materials technician and gain hands‑on experience supporting real testing and analysis in a laboratory or technical environment.
Over 20 months, you’ll combine day‑to‑day experience with structured training delivered by expert tutors at Tiro. The blended learning approach includes online sessions, in‑person training, and hands‑on support, guided by a dedicated mentor in the workplace.
You’ll spend at least six hours per week on off‑the‑job training, including virtual learning, practical activities, and applied assignments.
The programme will help you build the skills to carry out laboratory testing and take on increasing responsibility. It can lead to professional recognition such as becoming a Registered Science Technician.
Future opportunities include progressing onto higher‑level qualifications, such as degree apprenticeships in Materials or Chemistry.
Eligibility
To qualify for the apprenticeship, applicants must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Be over 16 years old
- Not in full‑time education
- Have lived in the UK for at least three years
- Have the right to work in the UK
- Hold a Level 3 qualification or below; higher‑level qualifications or substantial experience may make you ineligible for funding.
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