Laboratory Apprentice

About The Role

Are you interested in a career in Science? Would you like a permanent job NOW, not the hope of one sometime in the future?

Join us as a Laboratory Technician Apprentice and you can be a part of the ambitious team that brings Avara Foods to life, whilst gaining a level 3 qualification!

Purpose Of The Role

You’ll be a member of our Laboratory team from day 1, gaining experience in the various departments within the lab, whilst simultaneously, completing a two-year programme. You will gain a Level 3 BTEC Diploma in Applied Science, become a Registered Science Technician and have a permanent role of Laboratory Technician at the end of the programme.

Working Hours

0830 - 1700 Mon - Fri (Tuesday- college day)

Pay Rate

£12.71 per hour

You Will Gain Experience In

• Undertaking routine laboratory work in the microbiology and chemistry labs, performing analysis to CLAS, TLAS and UKAS/DEFRA standards.
• Producing, analysing and interpreting data including the application of statistical techniques.
• Using the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) in accordance with the procedures.
• Communicating scientific information effectively.
• Appropriately using scientific methods to identify the causes of problems and produce solutions.
• Complying with food safety and HSE guidelines.
• Co-operating in the continuous improvement of quality, safety and productivity standards.
• Meeting housekeeping and hygiene standards individually and as part of a team.
• Referring to the written methods when carrying out tasks to ensure accreditation compliance.
• Carrying out instructions as given to you by management.
  
  

What We Are Looking For

• Minimum of 5 GCSEs at Grade 5 or above (including Mathematics and English Language and a Science subject) or equivalent
• Due to this being a Levy Funded opportunity, you are not eligible to apply if you already have a BTEC in Applied Science or a Scientific Degree.
• Good level of English and Maths.
• Strong attention to detail
• Competent IT skills
• A passion for science and the drive to work towards a laboratory based apprenticeship standard.
  
  

What’s in it for you?

As a valued member of our Laboratory Team you can also look forward to benefits that amongst other things include the following: an excellent pension scheme and private health care. There’s a range of other benefits to help you make valuable tax and national insurance savings too.

• Weekly Online Tutorials delivered by CSR Scientific Training who are the UK’s leading training provider of laboratory based apprenticeships. Learning will be via virtual classrooms to assist you as you gain your qualification.
• A CSR Vocational Skills Coach (VSC) will visit you onsite and assist you once every eight weeks.
  
  

Who are we, and what do we do?

You may not have heard of us, but there’s a good chance you’ve enjoyed our products. Avara Foods is one of the UK’s leading food businesses, supplying chicken and turkey to the country’s major supermarkets and well-known restaurants.

We own and manage our entire supply chain, from farms to factory and all the way to the customer door - meaning we have careers that cover a whole range of functions. We have major processing sites across England and Wales, and an agricultural network of over 350 farms, spanning from North Yorkshire to the South Coast and Wales.

A Little About Our Hereford Site

Our advanced manufacturing site in Hereford, is one of our main processing facilities, processing up to 2 million birds per week. There are over 1,500 talented people employed at our Hereford site, helping us to deliver high quality products to our customers and making the business a trusted leader in fresh foods. We’ve recently invested £1.2 million in technology and equipment, making it one of the most advanced food manufacturing facilities in the UK.

Other important things to know about our Apprenticeships before applying:

We have a duty of care to our colleagues and wouldn't want you to spend a large amount of time commuting, so we require our Apprentices to be based within a reasonable radius of their site location.

You'll need to have the permanent right to stay and work in the UK.

We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer.

You’ll be working in a fast-paced, dynamic FMCG factory environment, which is noisy and refrigerated in some areas, manufacturing short shelf-life products where hygiene standards are critical.

If you’re ready to work in a dynamic environment alongside talented people who take pride in delivering great results, apply today!

We are committed to being an equal opportunities employer.