Laboratory Analyst Review

My role as a laboratory science apprentice is in the quality assurance labs. This means testing all products that are going to be made into medicines. Typically I will test active pharmaceutical ingredients after they have been micronised into a fine powder. I do various tests such as testing the purity of that powder, testing the particle size of that powder and testing the water content of that powder.

In my apprenticeship so far I have learnt loads of new skills. Technical skills such as high performance liquid chromatography, particle size distribution and ultraviolet spectroscopy are examples of some of the tests I have been trained in. Additionally, I have developed skills like teamwork, communication and confidence. These skills are crucial to being a valued member of the company and I have developed them in all kinds of areas such as project work and presentations.

I really enjoy my programme because I am getting hands on experience in a laboratory whilst also getting my degree at the same time. Within work I have had the chance to rotate around the different labs on site which has given me a huge insight into the different testing that we do here. Having the chance to rotate means that I have learnt so many techniques and picked up different skills from different areas. What is more, learning on the side of work is really enjoyable as you can apply what you learn from university to the workplace.

The programme is 3 years and there are four quality assurance laboratories meaning that an experience of about 8-11 months is given in each lab which allows enough time to learn important characteristics of that area. The programme is structured in a way that one day a week is given for studying and the other four are at work.

There is a lot of support from GSK. I have monthly check-ins with my manager where we discuss things like how work is going, what I want to develop on and how my studies are going. Additionally there is a lot of support from the early talent team who are always available and help you with any issues you may have. Also, if you ever require extra study time then the manager will do what they can to support you with this and they will always give you time for your exams.

There is some support from the university. There are progress reviews with your apprenticeship advisor who discuss your progress in work, university and the apprenticeship. These reviews are helpful as they check that you are on track and working at the right standard. The academic staff are incredibly supportive and provide revision webinars and practice questions. The feedback from assignments is always really useful and they always answer any questions you have. The support from the advisors can somewhat be limited as they often take a while to respond to emails.

The qualification definitely helps me to perform better. The apprenticeship standard has a list of skills, behaviors and knowledges that you need to evidence throughout the apprenticeship. These can include demonstrating safety in the lab, understanding regulations and being a valued team member. These standards enable you to perform well in your role.

Yes, there are lots of activities to get involved in. One activity that we do every year is an early talent olympics where each group (Apprentices, Industrial placement students and graduates) compete against each other in fun activities. There are also lots of social events such as pub crawls and quizzes. There has been lots of networking events with virtual coffee mornings between apprentices from all the UK and international sites which allows you to learn lots about other people's jobs. There are also talks from senior people within the company and you can learn about how they got into their role as well as what they do on a day to day basis.

Yes

The GSK apprenticeship scheme is a really great opportunity because you are learning lots of skills and getting a lot of experience but also studying for a degree at the same time. All the people that I have worked with have been really friendly and keen to push me enabling me to develop in my role. I also think that GSK offers a lot of benefits to their staff and the environment is a nice place to work.

When applying to GSK, one of the main things to look at would be the company's values as these are the way in which every employee acts. I would advise others to be confident in their answers and to answer everything honestly even if they think it is wrong.