Apprentice - Automation/Digital
Are you ready to take the first step in building your career? Our apprenticeship opportunities offer a great way to earn while you learn, gaining real hands‐on experience alongside industry‐recognised qualifications.
Role
- To maintain consistent and documented compliance with all relevant Safety, Health and Environmental (SHE), Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), Data Integrity (DI), quality and best practice requirements
- To plan and prioritise tasks, review and evaluate progress against objectives and investigate alternative scenarios
- To identify and understand the requirements of internal and external customers and use creative thinking and problem solving to challenge assumptions, innovate, make new proposals and build on existing ideas
- To analyse scientific data from various sources to improve understanding of the underlying processes
- To assist other technical staff in the acquisition, visualisation and analysis of scientific data
- To develop and implement procedures for the standardised acquisition and storage of data from the laboratory
- To work autonomously to analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific data and present the results of an analysis clearly and concisely in written and oral form, including dissemination of work at internal/external events
- To assist in the networking and automation of laboratory equipment
- To assist in the integration of processes and equipment into CPI digital infrastructure, with a focus on data acquisition, control and automation. Additionally to ensure interoperability with systems such as those for inventory management and resource planning
- To contribute to the development of specific technical projects and have a working knowledge of project management procedures; set up, planning and the execution of data analysis projects and report results within agreed timescales with the support of colleagues
- To promote and ensure the application of quality standards relevant to the workplace and comply with the internal and external regulatory environment such as procurement, maintaining records, traceability & confidentiality
- To share professional knowledge with colleagues and be responsible for own continuous professional development
- To contribute to a culture of continuous performance improvement within the scientific and technical environment in alignment with company strategy and project deliverables
Training
Automation or Digital Technician / Junior Engineer
Focus:
- Maintaining and optimising automated systems
- Supporting PLCs, sensors, robotics, SCADA, or MES systems
- Basic coding or scripting (e.g. ladder logic, Python, SQL)
- Monitoring data, dashboards, and system performance
- Fault finding and continuous improvement support
Automation Engineer / Digital Engineer
Focus:
- Designing, programming, and commissioning automation solutions
- Developing digital tools, dashboards, or data pipelines
- Integrating hardware and software systems
- Applying cybersecurity and data integrity principles
- Leading small projects or system upgrades
Senior Automation Engineer / Digital Specialist
Focus:
- Owning complex or business‐critical systems
- Leading automation or digital projects
- Setting technical standards and best practices
- Mentoring apprentices and junior engineers
- Driving efficiency, quality, and uptime improvements
- Apprenticeship Standard
- Data scientist (integrated degree) (level 6)
- Training Provider
- YORK ST JOHN UNIVERSITY
- Working Week
- Monday- Friday 08:30am- 5:00pm and Friday 08:30am- 4:30pm
- Expected Duration
- 3 Years
- Positions Available
- 1
- Closing Date
- Thursday, 7th May 2026
- Start Date
- Thursday, 17th September 2026
Desired Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Customer care skills
- Problem solving skills
- Presentation skills
- Analytical skills
- Logical
- Team working
- Creative
- Initiative
- Non judgemental
- Patience
About the Employer
CPI
At CPI we work with our partners to translate inventions into products and processes that enhance health and well-being, protect and improve our environment and increase productivity across industries. With a deep understanding of innovation processes and funding, outstanding technical expertise and industry relevant assets, we enable products and processes to be quickly and cost-effectively brought to market.