QC analytical lab science apprentice Review

Testing and analysing raw materials/ chemicals to compare them against specification.

I have developed transferrable skills, both for within the lab and for daily life such as presentation and communication skills

I enjoy both the academic and social side of it. AstraZeneca has an apprentice community which makes the whole course easier and smoother.

The structure is great. AstraZeneca do 1 day study leave per week and the other 4 are done physically in the workplace. They also do university residentials as well as online learning.

AstraZeneca has an apprentice committee to support everyone with settling in/ general questions. Every apprentice gets a mentor and a buddy within the workplace who trains them up and is there to help.

MMU does regular reviews with the apprentice and their mentor/ manager so they can line up the work in university and in the workplace. They also have extra support classes online that are easily accessible.

The course lines up well with my current role, in the regular reviews the skills coach (university) will give the apprentices mentor/ manager a run through of the upcoming modules so they can try to line up the work in the workplace.

There is an apprentice social committee available to all years including different sports team (such as a netball team.) They also did a 'freshers month' for new apprentices to meet older apprentices and build a network through socials and a week long induction week with all of the first years.

Yes

It is a secure, welcoming company with a no blame culture. They are aware of what is expected of them in regards to accommodating to the apprentices and their education. They are really understanding of the stress that comes with exams, and they allow extra time off as study leave.

Don't get disheartened with the application process as it's pretty long. The apprenticeship route is hard work but there's so much support throughout the whole company, and it is so worthwhile.