research chemistry apprentice Review

Research chemistry

Yes loads. I will achieve a foundation degree at the end of my third year(May 2018), then will get my full BSc degree in 2020. I have been on many internal training courses covering soft skills and specific training on equipment. I have also become a trained laser safety supervisor at my site, meaning I am an 'expert' in a certain area of chemistry. From the apprenticeship, I have acquired a huge amount of personal and professional skills on development weeks organised by the GSK apprenticeship team. I feel that I actually learn more for my work based experience than I do from my university course!

I have worked in a range of great teams over the past 3 years and I really love the general culture at GSK. Everybody has always been very helpful and open to answering questions that I have about chemistry and my general career. I definitely prefer the work based experience I feel is the most valuable part of the apprenticeship.

Very. I feel that I am treated the same as everybody else despite being an apprentice, and the general culture at GSK is great. I have the same amount of responsibility as other FTEs which I feel is very motivating. There are lots of opportunities for internal recognition ranging from certificates & mentions to monetary rewards. There is also recognition from external sources - for me this has been the RSc (chemistry apprentice of the year awards) and the brathay apprentice challenge.

From GSK, the organisation of the scheme has definitely improved over the past few years and I think the apprenticeship is very well organised now in terms of introductions to the company and support from the early talent team. I have a few mentors from across the company which has been very beneficial, and I have also always had a member of staff tutor me in chemistry informally. I do feel that the university side of things could be improved but I think this is a case of apprenticeships being new and all universitys are trying to get to grips with the best way to approach distant learning and covering topics that are relevant to everybody.

A fair amount. As it is a distant learning course we generally have access to all material and teach ourselves. Help is given via email or over the phone if we need it, and we see our tutors once a year at a residential to the uni. We do not have access to live lectures on this particular course which I think would make a big improvement to our learnings if they made this possible.

Loads. The HR team have always been very helpful with guidance, organisation of the scheme and any issues that we are having. I have found that everybody at the company are keen to help and answer my questions, and as mentioned before I have always had someone (additionally to my manager) providing 1:1 chemistry support.

Fine. I still live with my parents and I drive (about a half hour commute) so I am not too strained for living and travel costs. I feel that I have a good social life and probably can afford to go out more than my friends that went to university because I am being paid.

Yes. There is a great apprentice community on my year of the apprenticeship so we have a lot of organised social events. since doing the brathay apprentice challenge I have volunteered at a local charity and contued to do that independently for a year now which I really enjoy doing! There is a gym on site which motivates me to exercise loads and lots of local restaurants and bars we we go out a lot for celebrations and work do's.

Yes

I think it is a great company to work for and there are an endless amount of opportunities to learn, develop and grow.

Be enthusiastic and show how interested you really are!