Laboraty apprentice Review

I am a chemistry laboratory apprentice. One day a week I study for my university degree using an online platform. The other 4 days of the week I am trained in the laboratory to perform chemistry testing on finished products and raw materials. I have also had the opportunity to carry out a rotation in the microbiology laboratory.

During my apprenticeship I will gain a degree in chemistry through an online learning course. I have also had the opportunity to go on an outward bounds course to help develop my teamwork and communication skills. I also attended a training course on resilience and energy where I learnt about the impact of mental and physical health of performance.

I really enjoy earning and learning as I get the chance to get hands on experience in the laboratory and use the machines that I am learning about through my university course. Also, the team I get to work with are great at understanding that it may take longer to train an apprentice as they have less experience within the working environment.

There is lots of internal recognition within GSK as they have a reward scheme that recognises people for good work, these rewards range from breakfast vouchers to extra pay. I have also had the opportunity to get involved in projects such as staff training plans and work as part of a team towards the Brathay apprenticeship challenge.

The programme is structured on a rotation basis to allow all laboratory apprentices within GSK Maidenhead to experience different aspects of the chemistry and microbiology laboratory. There are regular meetings with the site's early talent co-ordinator to allow us to raise any concerns that we have with our course or job roles.

The training through an online platform was good and well structures. The feedback from submitted assignments was sometimes limited. There are 3 monthly meetings with a representative from the university to raise any concerns we may have about the course and to make sure we are keeping up to date with the work. However, they often had to cancel these meetings at the last minute.

Any problems that I had were slow in response and sometimes not dealt with. However, the support from the early talent co-ordinator was good and allowed me to feel listened to if I needed support. The team I work with is helpful in regards to any training that I need to complete and are happy to explain things that I have less understanding about.

All costs that are incurred by travelling to events such as outward bounds trips are reimbursed. The salary that I receive is enough to cover my living costs now I have moved out of home. Also, GSK offer lots of benefits along with the salary such as a good pension and share scheme.

I was given the opportunity to take part in the Brathay apprenticeship challenge along with 8 other apprentices on my site. This involved taking part in a community project and getting out into the local community to promote apprenticeships. The company also funded all first year apprentices from all sites in the UK to take part in an outward bounds course to help develop their teamwork and communication skills. GSK also give every person an orange day a year that they can use to take the day off work and take part in a charity event.

Yes

I believe apprenticeships are a great way to get hands on work experience and learn at the same time. GSK allows their apprentices to develop themselves by investing time and money into training them to work as part of the team. Also, working for such a large and well recognised company is good for gaining future jobs.

The application process is very long a difficult but it just proves that if you get through you are worthy of being in such a good company. The main advice I would give is to be confident in what you do from the interviews to projects that you take on as an apprentice and always say yes to any opportunity that is thrown your way.