Mineral And Construction Product Sampling And Testing Operations

Mineral And Construction Product Sampling And Testing Operations

On a mineral and construction product sampling and testing operator apprenticeship course, you’ll help collect and sample mineral, heavy construction and final products.

A mineral and construction product sampling and testing operator collects and samples minerals, heavy building materials, and completed products to meet rigorous standards and customer specifications.

Materials include ready-mixed concrete, cement, mortar, asphalt, road construction, and high-speed rail products. In this job, you may operate in several sub-sectors such as mining, construction, quarrying, road construction, garbage removal, and recycling.

Because product failure and poor quality may lead to end-of-life failure, your expert knowledge and attention to detail when sampling and testing material are essential.

You will collect and sample products at the source or a client’s site and then report your findings. You will be required to grade materials using specialised equipment as part of your work.

Compression and flexural testing equipment for strength evaluation, nuclear density, thermocouples for temperature measurement, slump and spread measuring equipment, and chemical analysis methods may all be included.

What you’ll learn

On a mineral and construction product sampling and testing operator apprenticeship course, you’ll learn to:

  • Reduce waste and recycle or dispose of garbage in line with the environmental and sustainability policy of the business.
  • Follow risk assessments, safe work systems, and company safety rules and procedures.
  • Use the appropriate product equipment, and sample the product at the production site or the customer’s location. 
  • Plan and complete tasks per standard operating procedures (SOP) and safe work standards.
  • Create reliable and precise reports
  • Follow industry-standard practices while doing sample tasks and maintain track of your progress.
  • Identify issues and take appropriate action using sampling and testing equipment.
  • Identify faults in both the product and the location of the product.
  • Analyse, analyse, and evaluate data, highlighting results that need further investigation (non-conformance) and seeking help from peers as required.
  • Handle issues softly and diffuse difficult situations.
  • Provide polite and attentive customer service in all areas of the work, including the production of clear written reports and pleasant listening and chatting with customers, presenting issues factually and simply
  • Effectively communicate with people at all levels, ensuring accurate information is delivered clearly and promptly.
  • Work within the rules and regulations of the business.
  • Utilise IT applications and systems in line with company rules and procedures. This involves utilising systems for test data entry, processing, and reporting.

Entry requirements

You’ll usually need:

  • Depending on the employer, but likely GCSEs or equivalent qualifications or relevant experience for an intermediate apprenticeship.
  • Apprentices without level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this before taking the end-point assessment.

Assessment methods

The End Point Assessment comprises three distinct assessment methods: 

  • Knowledge Assessment 
  • Observation with Questions 
  • Professional Discussion (supported by a Portfolio of Evidence) 

Duration, level, subjects and potential salary upon completion

  • Duration: 14 months
  • Level: 2 – Intermediate Apprenticeship
  • Relevant school subjects: DT and science
  • Potential salary upon completion: £20,000 per annum

Apprenticeship standard

More information about the Level 2 Mineral and Construction Product Sampling and Testing Operator Apprenticeship standard can be found here.

Apprenticeship end point assessment

For more information about the End Point Assessment Process, please read the Institute of Apprenticeships’ information page.

Updated on January 25, 2024

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