Laboratory Apprentice Review

As a first year analytical chemistry apprentice at GSK Ulverston, my role involves carrying out a series of analytical tests within raw materials to ensure our products meet specific quality assurance standards. Through becoming an analytical chemistry apprentice I have gained a greater understanding about the importance of both safety and quality control, seeing how the standard of our products here at GSK Ulverston are essential to the patient at the end of the supply chain.

My apprenticeship in analytical chemistry has opened up many opportunities for me, such as becoming a STEM Ambassador for GSK. This allows me to share my experiences with younger generations and represent my company in terms of women in science, helping to show students that careers in science are very valuable for both males and females. Most recently I am involved in a Go4Set programme, which involves attending our local high school on a 10 week basis as a mentor, helping a team of 5 students coordinate a project to do with 'my healthy school', a science based project which allows the students to engage with the subject as well as directly with apprentices from GSK such as myself who can offer support and experiences. I am currently studied a medical science course as part of the first year of my apprenticeship, and hope to go onto studying further specifically in the field of chemistry and pharmaceuticals, and have been great in terms of supporting these ambitions. Training in areas such as fire and manual handling have also shown me to importance of safety on site, giving me a greater insight as to how paramount the safety of every individual working within a company is, as well as the safety of the patients receiving our products. I feel my apprenticeship has allowed me to do all of these things, as I have gained a lot of hands-on experience which I perhaps wouldn't have got in as great a deal if I went to university. I think apprenticeships are an excellent way to quickly adopt new skills, not just in terms of work but on a personal basis as well, as I have become more confident and met lots of great people.

I am very much enjoying my apprenticeship and wouldn't have it any other way. Having thought about studying a chemistry degree at university previous to starting my apprenticeship, having seen the programmes GSK has to offer I quickly changed my mind. It has met and if not exceeded my expectations as I never thought I would be allowed to do as many things as I have, such as the many extra curricular involvements I have had- most especially as a STEM ambassador which GSK greatly helped me with. The teams here are also excellent, as I really feel I have made a broad amount of friends already, not just within the quality assurance department but within other departments such as manufacturing and engineering.

Having been an apprentice at GSK Ulverston for 8 months now, I feel my role here is already valued. The apprentice scheme here is excellent and has really allowed me to make some great new friends and share experiences. Having been involved in an Orange Day within the first month of being an apprentice here, this involved painting the fences and doing gardening for a local school which was greatly appreciated. The support I have had already has been fantastic and I feel very safe and supported here at GSK Ulverston, with colleagues offering opportunities such as being involved in site audits- something I thought I wouldn't be allowed to get involved in for years.

My apprenticeship programme is well structured, where I spend most of my time at college studying an plied Medical Science course, which is allowing me to extend my knowledge of analytical chemistry before coming on site full time. I have also undertaken A Levels previous to starting my apprenticeship which has helped me greatly. I also have 12 week reviews where my college tutor comes on site to have a detailed review of my progress with my line manager, which really helps me to see my strengths and weaknesses- meaning I can work on these.

I have received lots of support from my line manager as well as from other members of staff. Support is very accessible and line managers are both friendly and approachable, making me feel comfortable and able to speak to them with any issues. I have enjoyed my training so far, and it has been good to get trained in areas elsewhere, not just within the lab, such as manufacturing type job requirements and basic training like fire safety and manual handling.

Support is excellent at GSK Ulverston, and my line manager is very approachable. I feel comfortable conversing any issues, and also achievements, with my line manager. Support from college is also excellent and I always receive the help and guidance I may need. This can be said for all of the members of staff I have met so far, also, where I have received help from HR staff as well as IT and business admin staff about various matters.

It is a competitive salary and allows me to feel the benefits of working hard throughout the year. Living and travel costs to get to and from college are met through my salary with social costs still great. The location of work for me is excellent as it is only a 5 minute drive away from my house.

There are lots of opportunities outside work such as the sailing team which employees of all ages and abilities are always invited to attend. The friends I have made here are not only my work friends but some of them now my close friends, even after only knowing some of them for less than a year. Company events such as Christmas meals are also very good, as these allow you to network with employees from other sectors of the site. I have also been on a resilience course in Manchester with the other year 1 apprentices which taught me a lot, as well as Outward Bound which was fantastic. On Outward Bound I made many new friends from across the GSK network who I still speak to. Meeting these other apprentices from sites across the country makes me feel like the GSK community as a whole is very friendly and if I were to visit another site I would feel comfortable approaching new people due to these networking opportunities I have had.

Yes

Apprenticeships at GSK are fantastic. Having considered university as an alternative option, I wouldn't have it any other way now. My apprenticeship has allowed me to build on my own personal skills such as confidence and I have made so many new friends. I chose to pursue my apprenticeship due to the vast amount of hands on activity you get and the support you receive. My place of work has a very friendly atmosphere about it and I have no doubt that if one of my friends were to experience what I have experienced so far, then they would think the same.

The application process is more complex than that of a university application, so make sure you are prepared and that your application is done early. This gives you time to overview it and ensure you are completely happy with it, which is important as getting an apprenticeship at GSK is very competitive. Also, believe in yourself as it's easy to think about how many other people will be applying and comparing yourself to others during the assessment day, however just be yourself and be confident in what you love. If I were to look back on applying, I would like to have been told how flexible the apprenticeships are in terms of having the chance to move to different sectors on site, as I didn't think this would be the case but it has benefited me greatly.