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Manufacturing

Materials technician

Materials technicians test how materials behave under different conditions to help develop new products and improve existing ones.

Annual Salary

£20,000 to £30,000

Average UK salary in 2022 was £33,200
(source Office for National Statistics)

Working hours

41 to 43 a week

You could work: 9am to 5pm;

0.5%
Future employment

There will be 0.5% more Materials technician jobs in 2027.

Day to day tasks

As a materials technician, you may:

  • test the strength and flexibility of materials under different conditions
  • assess the cost, reliability, safety and environmental impact of materials
  • research new ways to use materials in product development
  • assess the risks posed by hazardous materials
  • analyse test results and write reports

Working environment

You may need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

You could work in a laboratory, in a factory or in an office.

You can get into this job through:

  • a college course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role
College

You could do a college course to learn some of the skills you'll need for this job. Courses include:

  • Level 3 Certificate in Laboratory Technical Skills
  • Level 3 Diploma in Engineering
  • Level 3 Diploma in Applied Science
  • T Level in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control

Entry requirements

You may need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science
  • 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T level
For more information
Apprenticeship

To become a materials technician, you could do a Non-destructive Testing Level 2 Intermediate or Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

You could also do a Composites Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • some GCSEs, usually including English and maths, or equivalent, for an intermediate apprenticeship
  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
For more information
Work

You could start as a lab assistant or trainee technician in a testing facility and train while you work to qualify.

Employers will expect you to have 4 or 5 GCSEs, including maths, English and a science, preferably physics or chemistry.

Some may want you to have A levels or equivalent qualifications in a subject such as applied science.

More information

Further information

You can find out more about careers in materials engineering from the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining.

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You could become a senior technician and register with the Engineering Council to get EngTech status.

With further qualifications you could qualify as a materials engineer.

You could also move into purchasing, sales or management.

Skills required and how your skills match up

What skills are required?

You'll need:

  • knowledge of engineering science and technology
  • maths knowledge
  • the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
  • knowledge of chemistry including the safe use and disposal of chemicals
  • knowledge of physics
  • analytical thinking skills
  • to be thorough and pay attention to detail
  • knowledge of manufacturing production and processes
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently
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