Polymer processing technician
Level 3 · AdvancedEngineering and manufacturing 3 yr typical
About this apprenticeship
What it involves
This Level 3 apprenticeship trains you in the technical operation and monitoring of polymer processing equipment used to manufacture plastic products by extrusion, injection moulding, blow moulding, or other methods. You will set up machines, monitor quality, and troubleshoot production issues in a polymer or plastics manufacturing environment. It can lead to process engineer, quality technician, or production supervisor roles in the polymer and plastics industry.
On the job
What you’ll learn
Polymer materials science and how different polymers behave during processing
Operation and setting of extrusion, injection moulding, and blow moulding machines
Quality inspection techniques and statistical process control in polymer production
Process problem-solving and troubleshooting defects in moulded products
Health and safety including handling of chemicals, dust, and hot materials
Maintenance routines and basic fault-finding on polymer processing equipment
Environmental management including waste reduction and material recycling
On the job
What you’ll do day to day
Set up and start up polymer processing machinery to production specifications
Monitor process parameters such as temperature, pressure, and cycle time
Inspect finished polymer products and identify and record defects
Adjust machine settings to correct quality problems during production
Carry out planned maintenance and cleaning of processing equipment
Complete production logs, batch records, and quality control documentation
Work safely with hot materials, chemicals, and automated machinery
The deal
How this apprenticeship works
You earn a wage from day one. You are a paid employee, not a student. There are no tuition fees - the training is funded by your employer and the government.
About 20% is “off-the-job” training. Roughly a day a week is spent learning away from your normal duties - at a college, training provider, or online - working towards a recognised qualification.
It ends with an end-point assessment (EPA). Near the end, an independent assessor checks you can do the job to the national standard - through tests, a project, a portfolio or an interview. Pass it and you are fully qualified.
How to get there
What you need to start
Level 3 (Advanced) - roughly A-level level. Employers usually look for some GCSEs (often English & maths around grade 4/C) or a Level 2 apprenticeship first. English & maths can sometimes be finished during training.
What’s next: Can lead to a Level 4/5 (Higher) apprenticeship, or straight into the role.
Entry requirements are set by each employer and can vary - always check the specific vacancy.
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What it’s really like
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