Trainee Highway Laboratory Technician

This development role has a starting salary of £24,977 per annum, based on a 36-hour working week.

We are excited to be hiring a new trainee technician to join our fantastic Highway Laboratory team. The team is based in Merrow, Guildford and comprises of 18 individuals. No previous laboratory or civils experience is required for this role.

This role is a great opportunity for someone who thrives from hands on practical learning and is wanting to start a new career with Surrey Highways. The team prides themselves on the training and development of new staff coming into the sector with the Professional Development Programme (PDP) roles playing a major factor in training the next generation of Surrey highways staff. The PDP scheme spans three pay grades and allows for on-the-job learning, a professional qualification and building the experience required to be a valued technician within the team.

Rewards and Benefits

• 26 days' holiday, rising to 28 days after 2 years' service and 30 days after 5 years' service
• Option to buy up to 10 days of additional annual leave
• An extensive Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) to support health and wellbeing
• Up to 5 days of carer's leave per year
• Paternity, adoption and dependants leave
• A generous local government salary related pension
• Lifestyle discounts including gym, travel, shopping and many more
• 2 paid volunteering days plus 1 team volunteering day per year
• Learning and development hub where you can access a wealth of resources
• Flexible daily working hours to maximise the individuals work/life balance

About the Team

The Laboratory Team sits within the Network and Asset Management Group and is responsible for carrying out a range of UKAS accredited testing. As a team we work closely with internal and external clients, providing a range of specialist and technical testing services related to highways. The team also advise and assist colleagues, members, customers, and stakeholders to maximise service quality and efficiency.

About the Role

This is a Professional Development Programme (PDP) position which provides a proven career development opportunity for those looking to start a career in civil engineering. Over the first weeks you'll get to know the team and spend time shadowing and assisting different members of staff while they perform a range of laboratory tests. Following this the successful applicant will start learning testing and sampling procedures which will enable them to start progressing through the PDP role as they build their knowledge and skills.

In this role you will be provided with support to enable you to develop skills, competencies and relevant experience required to gain a professional qualification in civil engineering. Key objectives are set which will enable the successful candidate to progress through the PDP pay grades and work towards becoming a fully trained technician on grade PS7 (£31,262 - £33,321).

Shortlisting Criteria

To be considered for shortlisting for this position, your application will clearly evidence the following:

• Minimum of 5 GCSE's or equivalent
• Good standard of communication skills
• Flexibility to work unsocial hours when required
• An interest in pursuing a career in civil engineering

Please outline the above in an uploaded personal statement and CV.

Please contact us for any questions relating to the role. This could be to discuss flexible working requests, transferable skills or any barriers to employment.

The job advert closes at 23:59 on 03/03/2024 with interviews planned for March 2024.

We look forward to receiving your application, please click on the apply online button below to submit.

Our Commitment

Surrey County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Employer. A guaranteed interview will be offered to all disabled applications where:

• The candidate has evidenced the minimum criteria for the role through their application
• The candidate has chosen to share that they have a disability on the application form

Our application form and onboarding process will provide an opportunity to request any reasonable adjustments for the interview and/or the role.

We want to be an inclusive and diverse employer reflecting the community we serve and particularly welcome applications from all underrepresented groups.