Chemical Analyst Review

I am a chemical analyst, so carry out both routine analysis for internal and external customers in addition to research and development projects. I am qualified to run a range of instruments and do so regularly, in addition to developing new methods for the analysis of different materials. I help with the organisation of our work experience programme and liaise between the organisers and other lab users.

I have learnt a lot of new skills including lab skills and the running of each instrument owned by the team. I have learnt to work in a range of environments and a lot about health and safety. I have developed my communication skills through working in a team and attending CSR events.

I enjoyed my programme more as I got closer to the end as the programme was becoming more highly developed with specific targets in addition to the basic framework. We were trained in different areas including teamworking and presentation skills and had to attend courses where we worked in teams with people from different disciplines as you would on a large project.

My programme is well structured. When I began the programme it was less so but this significantly improved as I moved through the programme. There are clear courses and a task outside your normal working area that you must complete in your apprentice team without help from other staff members.

I received a lot of support from my employer when I approached them with issues I was having early in my apprenticeship and these were rectified. Additionally, when we had apprentice tasks to complete we were given time within the work place and were allowed to attend the overnight courses during work time.

Less support was received from the training provider and they visited around once a month to look at reviews. As they were not part of the company they were limited to the support they could provide with regards to the higher education and any problems you were having at work.

My NVQ doesn't seem to contribute much to my role. It seemed to be a box ticking exercise as i had proeven my competency at work by completing training in the work place and being deemed competent to carry out work independently. It took a lot of time out of my working days to complete.

I am a member of 2 professional institutions which my company pays for. Through these i can attend lectures and other social events outside of work. Through my apprenticeship programme i met apprentices form other sites that i became friends with and we organised events within our cohort. I also attend CSR activities promoting apprenticeships and the company.

Yes

I feel that i am well-paid for my age and the industry that i work in (science). The apprenticeship was hard but worth it and i have been given the opportunity following this to continue my education and earn my degree through my company. I also made a lot of friends with those in my cohort.

To ask any questions you might have, attend work experience programmes to learn about the company and the work we do and to be enthusiastic. Do research in to the history of nuclear in the area and how NNL fits in to that and understand that we have a range of customers which may not always be obvious.