Cogent Skills is working with DePuy Synthes to recruit a Microbiology Laboratory Apprentice to work at its manufacturing plant in Blackpool. This is a fantastic opportunity to work for a global medical device manufacturing company with great development opportunities.

Qualification Requirements
Minimum of 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and Maths, and Science GCSE (Combined science 44 or two separate sciences at grade 4 or above).

Salary - Minimum Apprenticeship Wage

Salaries are reviewed annually and adjusted in accordance with the national minimum wage.

Benefits

Holiday Allowance - 25 Days Holiday Allowance, plus Bank Holidays
Pension - Employee 5%, Employer 3%
Holiday buy back Scheme
Eyecare
Discount Schemes
Employee Assistance Programme
Onsite Parking
Onsite Canteen
Employee Recognition / Awards

Location - Blackpool, FY4 4QQ

Working Hours
Monday to Thursday, 8am – 4.30pm with a 30-minute lunch break. Fridays, 8am – 1pm without a lunch break.

4 days per week plus a college day.

Duration - 27 months

Start Date - September 2026

Interview Date -May / June 2026

Closing Date for Applications - 30th April 2026

To Apply
To apply, please click the Apply Now button and complete the form. If you are having difficulty in completing this, please contact recruitment on recruitment@cogentskills.com for assistance

Next Steps

Successful candidates will be progressed to a one way video interview, invites will be sent via email.

The video interview will be reviewed by the Hiring Manager

Job Description

Job Responsibilities

Cogent Skills is currently recruiting for a Microbiology Laboratory Apprentice to join DePuy’s growing team.

The Microbiology Laboratory Apprentice will be required to:

Carry out microbiological testing to ensure the ongoing quality of product
Overall responsibility for assigned area (Bioburden, Environmental monitoring…)
Interface with other departments to ensure timely release of products and materials
Initiate laboratory investigations and non-conformance investigations
Ensure the principles of cGMP are applied and that all documentation is followed to comply with ISO9000, ISO13485, FDA QSRs and the Medical device directive
Complete Change assessments to ensure documents are updated in a timely manner

Duties & Responsibilities:

Ensure that microbiological testing is performed in a timely manner
Day to day performance
- Bioburden testing
- Sterility testing
- Antibiotic potency testing
- Environmental monitoring
- Enumeration and identification of contaminants
- Management of consumables and materials used in testing
- Autoclaving of items for the laboratory and production
- Execution of the laboratory cleaning program
- Review of sterilization documentation
- Hazardous waste disposal

Quality and Compliance Related Responsibilities

Ensure that all activities are carried out in compliance with all regulations and laws governing business and quality operations
Staff: Responsible for ensuring compliance with all local, national, international and company regulations, policies and procedures for Health, Safety and Environmental compliance.

GMP documentation and Quality Systems

Support investigations to assist in the completion of Non-conformance reports and OOS excursions

Training

Ensure that own training records are up to date and complete
Assist in the training of other staff

Validation

Support the validation of test methods and equipment for the microbiology department
Support validation of processes for sterility assurance

External communications

Liaise with sterilization contractors and approved manufactures to ensure data is retrieved and available
Ensure that consumables are ordered in a timely manner to avoid testing delays

Candidate Requirements

Skills / Personal Qualities

Able to follow procedures to ensure the principles of cGMP are upheld
Able to communicate and present information and ideas effectively
Able to work to deadlines
Able to react to a changing environment and under time pressures
Able to work as part of a team to work towards a common goal
Able to manage own time and prioritize own workload to ensure timely completion of assigned work
Escalate deviations from routine practice through the organizational chain
Customer focus: Results and Performance driven with a sense of Urgency
Talent development: Collaboration, Self-awareness, Adaptability
Ability to work in stressful/fast-paced environment
Ability to work and interact with co-workers to accomplish company goals in a team environment
Ability to learn
Excellent communication skills

Training To Be Delivered

Apprenticeship Standard: Laboratory Technician Level 3

Training Provider: Blackpool and The Fylde College

Delivery model: Day release and location. The apprenticeship will typically be delivered over a 24-month period with additional time required to prepare for the End Point Assessment. The apprentice's time will typically be split 80:20 throughout the apprenticeship programme with four days a week spent at the employer premises learning on the job and one day a week spent off-site, undertaking classroom-based and workshop-based training at B&FC.

Future Prospects

If you demonstrate a pro-active practical aptitude with problem solving skills and are willing to accept responsibility, there will be great opportunities for progression within the company potentially to gain an engineering degree qualification.

Things To Be Considered

Working within a heavily regulated environment requires strict adherence to in-house protocols and HSE legislation, with a high degree of integrity and attention to detail in all aspects of work.

This role is physically demanding and requires strong focus and accuracy.

This is a 2.5-year Apprenticeship with training up to Level 3. On successful completion, you will be able to perform at a high level of accomplishment.

Please ensure you are able to travel to the company.

All applications must be made through Apprenticeship Vacancies. Please do not contact the employer directly.

About DePuy Synthes

DePuy Synthes (a Johnson & Johnson company) is a leading UK manufacturer of high-quality orthopaedic implants.

From development and manufacture through to supply, DePuy Synthes possesses the technical knowledge and support resources required to ensure the success of the projects we are involved in on a global scale.

Microbiology Laboratory Apprentice - DePuy Synthes