R&D Apprentice Review

I am an R&D apprentice. This role involves contributing to team meetings and carrying out relevant lab work that is essential to projects within the business. I also learn how to write dossier for releases of products onto the market and complete various training modules in order to help progress my professional career.

Yes. Communication is one of the main skills I have developed over the course of my apprenticeship so far. It essential for team activities and ensuring you are carrying out tasks appropriately and to the desired standard. I have also learnt how to take constructive feedback and use that to make me better at my job.

I enjoy my programme a lot and would recommend it to anyone considering applying to do so. Personally I think it is one of the best ways to get into a business/field of this sort and allows me to learn massively on the job whilst also gaining theoretical knowledge.

The programme is very well structured- I have enough time to complete my work set by university to a good standard and have time to revise for exam sessions whilst also having enough time (both on site and working from home) to complete work set by my line manager to help progress projects for my team.

A lot- I have bi weekly catch up's with my line manager where we discuss my progress (both work progress and uni progress) and look at areas for technical improvement. I also have 2 mentors- one for professional development and one well being where we discuss any difficulties I have inside or outside of work and put together a plan to overcome them.

A good amount- I have 1 day per week where I complete the work set by my training provider. I have to complete assignments based on information given and make notes and revision material on them. There are usually videos to watch supporting the information given alongside multiple choice question quizzes and further reading to boost understanding of each topic.

For my role specifically it gives me the theoretical knowledge to tasks that I am perform in the lab- so I understand the tasks I complete in the lab and aren't just conducting them aimlessly. Due to how recent I am doing my training (in comparison to others in my team) it allows me to provide an alternative and sometimes novel approaches to problems we face.

Professional development courses are available through the year- I am currently signed up to a few including: how to impact others, how to develop leadership qualities and how to balance work life activities. Pre-covid there were also opportunities to do extra-curricular activities such as book clubs and sporting events such as football.

Yes

The culture of the company allows you to progress (professionally) at a rate that would not be possible at other companies. You are surrounded by field expert that are always willing to share their knowledge and explain things very well. They also have provided a flexible mix of on-site working and working from home due to the pandemic that I have found very beneficial.

Make sure you apply for and complete work experience at the company or other relevant companies in the field and make sure you make connections while you are there. Also ask for mentors and proactively look for ways in which you can help others in the team. Make sure you also fully research your job role and the responsibilities it will entail before applying and explain how your specific experiences will make you suitable for the role.