Laboratory apprentice Review

I am a biology apprentice. On a day to day basis I carry out various experiments in the lab and analyse data. I also present my data in project team meetings and respond to requests from other teams in and outside of the department. I have weekly one to one meetings with my supervisor and monthly reviews with my manager to ensure I am on track with my learning. I study one day a week to work towards completing a foundation degree in Bioscience Technology.

I have learnt a vast amount of new skills as well as developing existing skills. I have been on courses to help expand my knowledge of machines I use in the lab. Prior to these courses I am taught hands on how to use these machines and how to interpret my data, which is great preparation for these courses. I have also been to apprentice events that have helped to improve my communication, resilience and allow me to network with other apprentices across the country. At the end of my apprenticeship I will gain a foundation degree in Bioscience Technology with the opportunity to complete the full degree if I apply for a permanent job for an extra 2 years.

I really enjoy working in a team of people every day and learning different skills/knowledge from people in all areas of the department. I also enjoy being given the responsibility to carry out my own research and have a specific job role within the team. I think the company has excellent values and is very diverse with people from all different cultures and backgrounds.

I am acknowledged for the work I do daily by my manager, supervisor and everyone in the team. I have had the opportunity to work outside of GSK at presentation events and I have previously been given recognition by people at this event. I have also been nominated for a small award for teaching another employee in a different team skills I have learnt so far. I feel very valued at GSK.

I joined the apprenticeship programme late and missed the initial induction but I was provided with a smaller induction on my first day which helped to settled me into the workplace. I am given support from my manager, supervisor and my buddy (another apprentice in their final year of the programme) and I can ask them questions I have about my course or work in the lab. I am given one day a week to study my course in work time. I am about to start having meetings with my chosen mentor who is from a completely different area of R&D and will be supporting me further in my education. Some areas of the degree programme could be better organised, for example studying online can be difficult and there are a couple of mistakes on our course but we have reported these issues and they are being resolved and our tutor from the university is also giving us access to online lectures.

We receive reviews every 3 months from our training provider and this helps to ensure we are on track and to allow us to ask any questions we have that we wanted to ask face to face. If we need to ask questions urgently we can email, call or text our training provider for help and usually gain a response within the week. We are expected to have high grades in our exams and are pushed to work hard in preparing for them, along with keeping to deadlines regarding coursework.

I receive a lot of support from my employer and they are always looking to improve their support system by having meetings to ask us our opinions and thoughts. HR keep in contact with all apprentices and email us opportunities for development (STEM events, presentations ect.) I have monthly reviews with my manager and weekly catch ups with my supervisor, this helps to reduce stress and to help me work through problems I have and discuss solutions. If I have any queries or I want to be given more/less work I can bring these up in these meetings.

The salary provides me with enough money to cover my living costs, travel and daily costs with ease. We are given a bonus each year along with 2 pay rises dependent on our progress. I also have disposable income at the end of all my living costs to go out with friends or travel back home to see my family.

There are lots of opportunities outside of work to get involved with. The company holds events and HR will ask us to get involved. There are events at local schools to talk to the students and also STEM events that we can take part in. In work there are clubs we can attend such as yoga or netball and there is the gym. Each apprentice is given a chance to take part in these events. We also go on outward bound events to improve our development which is organised by work.

Yes

It is a great company to work for and the apprenticeship scheme is well organised and there are so many opportunities to do things that aren't related to your daily work.

Get as much experience as possible before applying for an apprenticeship. At an assessment centre it's important to be honest but also talk with confidence about all the things you have done and how they'll benefit you.