What is it like to be a Charles River apprentice?

Being an apprentice at Charles River is very rewarding and I have developed my soft and technical skills over the last 3 years. During the apprenticeship you get to work closely with the other apprentices and can engage in extra activities e.g. Journal club where we review scientific literature. Upon enrolment, a mentor is paired with you which allows you to have a familiar face to contact when questions arise and this makes the environment really welcoming. One aspect of the apprenticeship that I really enjoy is that you are always encouraged to get involved with new projects and are given a variety of training opportunities which help to develop your personal capabilities.

What does your Apprenticeship involve?

The Level 4/5 Foundation degree in applied bioscience apprenticeship at Charles River involves a range of different activities, and you get the opportunity to work in a variety of departments. We work on a 1 year rotation schedule, which allows you to experience a new department every year including; Biology, Analytics and Pharmaceutics. During my time in analytics, I learnt a lot of techniques surrounding QC, buffer making and Intermediate purification. However, in biology I have been developing my assay techniques and cell culturing skills which is interesting because it is completely different to my time in analytics. Upon successful completion of the Level 4/5 three year programme, you get the opportunity to top this up to a full Bachelors-degree.

What made you apply for the apprenticeship at Charles River?

I decided to apply to an apprenticeship at Charles River as I knew the usual university pathway wasn’t for me. I prefer learning whilst gaining practical experience compared to sitting in lectures. This apprenticeship offers a lot of practical laboratory work, which is relevant to the university modules we study online. Due to this, the course content is often easier to understand because we can see how the theory applies to industrial practical work. One other reason I applied to the apprenticeship because you actually receive a salary whilst studying. This gives you more freedom to do other activities outside of university and work.

Did you always want to do this as your job?

Yes, since learning more in depth biology in secondary school, I took a real interest in the subject and wanted to get involved in the development of drugs for common diseases. This passion for biology was further clarified my interest in this area, and this is what drove me to look for opportunities that would allow me to get involved with experts in this field.

Would you recommend a Charles River apprenticeship to anyone?

I would definitely recommend this apprenticeship scheme to anyone who was thinking of a career in the industry, as it allows you to get on the job experience and engage with individuals with expertise in the field. It also allows to you to network with people in the industry, which is useful when doing your studies and for getting involved with new opportunities in the company and for career development.