Process Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship - Arxada

Summary

Kick-start your career with a global leader in speciality chemicals. Join our Process Manufacturing Apprenticeship in Huddersfield and gain real industry experience, recognised qualifications and the skills to build a rewarding career in manufacturing.

Wage

£23,132.20 a year

Training course

Process industry manufacturing technician (level 3)

Hours

08:00 - 16:00 in the first year, second year onwards may involve working a rotating shift pattern (TBC)

35 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 1 September 2026

Duration

2 years 3 months

Positions available

2

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

Kick-start your career with a global leader in speciality chemicals. Join our Process Manufacturing Apprenticeship in Huddersfield and gain real industry experience, recognised qualifications and the skills to build a rewarding career in manufacturing.

Over the course of this apprenticeship, you’ll learn how a chemical plant operates in line with Standard Operating Procedures, developing the technical skills, safety mindset and practical experience needed to build a long-term career in manufacturing.

The site is a top-tier COMAH site, operating with chemicals that require strict adherence to Health & Safety procedures. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is provided and must be worn as required.

Day to day activities:

• Learn to operate plant and equipment safely in line with Standard Operating Procedures
• Observe plant operations and report any deficiencies promptly
• Complete process documentation accurately for all work carried out on shift
• Monitor processes, take readings and samples, and report abnormalities
• Ensure environmental and safety protection systems are functioning correctly
• Work collaboratively within the production team to keep operations running smoothly
• Study towards a Level 3 Apprenticeship in Process Manufacturing alongside practical site-based experience

This is a fantastic opportunity to earn while you learn — gaining recognised qualifications and invaluable on-the-job experience within a global organisation.

ABOUT ARXADA

Arxada is a global science-based specialty chemicals business creating innovative chemistry and solutions. The company aims to solve the world’s toughest preservation challenges by enhancing sustainability with cleaner, greener solutions.

Arxada focuses on multiple end-markets primarily in: Human Health & Nutrition, Home & Personal Care, Paints & Coatings and Wood Protection, providing a broad portfolio of differentiated products and solutions, supported by its science and innovation capabilities, in-depth regulatory know-how and track record in manufacturing and process development.

With its headquarters in Basel Switzerland, Arxada employs 3100 associates across 24 production sites and 14 R+D centres.

Arxada (Arch) Huddersfield is a manufacturing site operating 24/7 to produce solutions for the wood protection, and paints and coatings sectors.

Our vision for solving the world’s toughest preservation challenges can only be achieved through the hard work and dedication of our highly valued employees. We strive to create an environment that is collaborative, inclusive and unlocks each individual’s unique talents. Our employees are empowered to learn and grow, while bringing their best skills and abilities to work every day.

Where you'll work

Ashgrove Road
Bradley
Huddersfield
HD2 1FG

Training

Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.

Training provider

COGENT SSC LIMITED

Training course

Process industry manufacturing technician (level 3)

What you'll learn

Course contents

• Review instructions or information to understand the task.
• Plan tasks. Identify and organise resources with consideration for safety, environmental impact, quality, and cost.
• Identify hazards and risks in the workplace and personal safety and mitigation measures.
• Apply health, safety, and environmental procedures in compliance with regulations, standards, and guidance.
• Follow environment emergency procedures. For example, make area safe, evacuate.
• Apply sustainability principles for example, minimising waste.
• Apply standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Check equipment.
• Select, check, and prepare raw materials for process for example, weighing, measuring, control and blending, conditioning, dissolving, and sanitisation.
• Set and adjust processing parameters such as temperature, pressure, speed or time, distance.
• Monitor process for example, take readings and conduct walk-arounds.
• Conduct the control of product streams to maintain specifics.
• Apply quality assurance procedures. For example, density checks, contaminant check, and take samples for laboratory testing.
• Apply intermediate or post-manufacturing procedure for example, labelling, packing, storage, visual inspection, discharge.
• Manage waste streams.
• Clean equipment for example, boil-outs, steam-outs, bake-outs, steam in place SIP, clean in place (CIP).
• Conduct calculations for example, conversations, tare weight, charge weights, yield calculations.
• Store tools and equipment.
• Identify equipment for handover.
• Apply signage and access restriction measures.
• Shut down the process and equipment.
• Isolate process and systems.
• Complete isolation checks.
• Empty equipment for example, drain, purge, vent, and de-pressure.
• Purge, fill, pressurise and leak test.
• Complete post maintenance equipment checks.
• Line-up equipment.
• Connect service connections such as water, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic for chemical or petrochemical processing.
• De-isolate process, mechanical and electrical systems.
• Complete pre-start up checks.
• Start-up plant and equipment.
• Re-start process.
• Record or enter information - paper based or electronic.
• Interpret data for example, process data, quality control and test procedure data.
• Interpret drawings and graphs.
• Identify issues for example, defects, deviations, process variance, and maintenance requirements.
• Escalate issues outside limits of responsibility.
• Apply problem solving and fault-finding techniques.
• Apply continuous improvement techniques. Make a suggestion for improvement.
• Use information and digital technology for example, management information systems, human machine interfaces, word processing, spreadsheet, email, virtual learning platforms, document sharing platforms. Comply with cyber security requirements.
• Produce written documents for example, handover notes or emails, non-conformances, design change requests.
• Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
• Apply team working principles.
• Plan how to meet personal development needs. Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development (CPD) activities.
• Review instructions or information to understand the task.
• Plan tasks. Identify and organise resources with consideration for safety, environmental impact, quality, and cost.
• Identify hazards and risks in the workplace and personal safety and mitigation measures.
• Apply health, safety, and environmental procedures in compliance with regulations, standards, and guidance.
• Follow environment emergency procedures. For example, make area safe, evacuate.
• Apply sustainability principles for example, minimising waste.
• Apply standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Check equipment.
• Select, check, and prepare raw materials for process for example, weighing, measuring, control and blending, conditioning, dissolving, and sanitisation.
• Set and adjust processing parameters such as temperature, pressure, speed or time, distance.
• Monitor process for example, take readings and conduct walk-arounds.
• Conduct the control of product streams to maintain specifics.
• Apply quality assurance procedures. For example, density checks, contaminant check, and take samples for laboratory testing.
• Apply intermediate or post-manufacturing procedure for example, labelling, packing, storage, visual inspection, discharge.
• Manage waste streams.
• Clean equipment for example, boil-outs, steam-outs, bake-outs, steam in place SIP, clean in place (CIP).
• Conduct calculations for example, conversations, tare weight, charge weights, yield calculations.
• Store tools and equipment.
• Identify equipment for handover.
• Apply signage and access restriction measures.
• Shut down the process and equipment.
• Isolate process and systems.
• Complete isolation checks.
• Empty equipment for example, drain, purge, vent, and de-pressure.
• Purge, fill, pressurise and leak test.
• Complete post maintenance equipment checks.
• Line-up equipment.
• Connect service connections such as water, electrical, pneumatic, hydraulic for chemical or petrochemical processing.
• De-isolate process, mechanical and electrical systems.
• Complete pre-start up checks.
• Start-up plant and equipment.
• Re-start process.
• Record or enter information - paper based or electronic.
• Interpret data for example, process data, quality control and test procedure data.
• Interpret drawings and graphs.
• Identify issues for example, defects, deviations, process variance, and maintenance requirements.
• Escalate issues outside limits of responsibility.
• Apply problem solving and fault-finding techniques.
• Apply continuous improvement techniques. Make a suggestion for improvement.
• Use information and digital technology for example, management information systems, human machine interfaces, word processing, spreadsheet, email, virtual learning platforms, document sharing platforms. Comply with cyber security requirements.
• Produce written documents for example, handover notes or emails, non-conformances, design change requests.
• Communicate with others verbally for example, colleagues and stakeholders.
• Apply team working principles.
• Plan how to meet personal development needs. Carry out and record planned and unplanned learning and development (CPD) activities.

Training schedule

Qualification to be delivered:

• Process Industry Manufacturing Technician Apprenticeship Standard
• SIAS Level 3 Diploma in Understanding Process Industry Manufacturing
• Apprenticeship Standard: Level 3 Process Industry Manufacturing Technician

Training Provider: Cogent Skills.

Delivery model: Blended (mixture online and in person): the programme is a blended programme, with knowledge delivered in live online classrooms, and skills developed in the workplace with assessor support

Requirements

Essential qualifications

GCSE in:

English Maths and Relevant Science (grade 4 or above)

Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.

Skills

• Attention to detail
• Analytical skills
• Logical