Apprentice Innovation Technician
Location: Broad Oak Road, Accrington, Lancashire, BB5 2BS
Employer: The Vita Group – Caligen Foam
Qualification: Level 6 Apprenticeship & BSc (Hons) Degree
Duration: Full-time apprenticeship
Build your career while earning a degree – and get paid for it!
This is a fantastic opportunity to join The Vita Group as an Apprentice Innovation Technician. As part of this role, you’ll receive hands-on training, real industry experience, and study towards a Level 6 Apprenticeship while achieving a BSc (Hons) degree — all without the burden of university fees. You’ll be developing your skills in a real working environment, supported by experienced professionals who want to see you succeed.
What you’ll be doing
Reporting to the Innovation Manager, you’ll work within our Innovation Centre, helping to develop and test new foams at both bench-top and pilot-plant scale. You’ll use your growing knowledge of polyurethane chemistry to support our product development and meet customer technical needs. Your work will also involve analysing customer and competitor products to help shape our innovations.
Day to day, you will:
- Learn and apply the chemistry of polyurethanes.
- Mix and test foams in the lab and operate pilot-plant equipment.
- Take ownership of your workload, ensuring trials are produced and tested accurately.
- Keep detailed, accurate records of all work carried out.
- Maintain and update Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and check compliance.
- Communicate your development work clearly to colleagues and customers.
- Work closely with our production teams on plant trials.
- Build great working relationships with customers, suppliers, and stakeholders.
- Contribute to a safe working environment by following all health and safety procedures and carrying out regular checks in the lab.
Who we’re looking for
We want someone with a genuine interest in science and innovation, who enjoys problem-solving and is ready to learn. You should be proactive, organised, and able to work as part of a team. In return, you’ll gain a highly valuable qualification, practical skills, and a strong start to your career in materials science.
Why join us?
- Earn while you learn – get paid while working towards a degree.
- Gain hands-on, real-world experience in an innovative industry.
- Work with supportive and skilled professionals.
- Make a real contribution to projects that shape our products and services.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent, Apprenticeship
Pay: From £19,500.00 per year
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee discount
- Free parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- On-site parking
Licence/Certification:
- A Levels in Science or equivalent (preferred)
Work Location: In person
Application deadline: 15/08/2025
