Laboratory Apprentice Review

I have four rotations at 9 months each. At the moment I work in a compliance role working with Stability of products. My daily jobs are to ensure that samples being tested have been tested for the correct tests, i also have to set up stability studies. I also am part of projects so i have to attend meetings and complete actions to complete the project and improve whatever the project is on. I am leading 3 projects at the moment - Improvement to our car park, testing for heavy metals in our raw materials and the creation of a work experience program for sixth formers. I also arrange and attend careers fairs at schools and colleges.

I have learnt a host of new skills, one that i have seen severe improvement on since starting my apprenticeship is my presentation skills. Due to the nature of my job i have to talk in front of senior members of staff and also externally at careers fairs. My organisational skills have also vastly improved as i have to organise my day and weeks accordingly ensure to set priority to certain tasks as well as dealing with tasks hat may randomly crop up. I also feel like my English skills have improved not only from writing assignments for uni but also sending formal emails and to internal and external contacts.

I enjoy the rotations a lot of i get a taste of each lab we have on site as well as the compliance team which deals with the 'behind the scenes'. I have thoroughly enjoyed compliance as it has added a lot of benefit to my apprenticeship and has allowed me to get involved with projects and tasks that i wouldn't get exposure to in the lab. The program is set up well, seeing improvement every year, i like the amount of responsibility given to you as it really tests you and makes sure you strive which i believe is what the program should test you to do!

At the beginning of my apprenticeship it wasn't set up as good as it is now, each year it is improving. After I settled in I gave feedback of what could be done better for this years apprentice and it was take on board and the process was a lot smoother. A direct plan has been set up now so each new apprentice every year knows what it will consist of has a time scale for the 3 years. It is always guaranteed you will get one uni day a week and that is a given. If you don't you are permitted to take an extra the next week etc.

I am nurtured by my employer which is a great positive as it means they care not only about my work but also the uni side of things, they know that both are equally as important. a lot is done to make sure i am comfortable like monthly meetings focussing purely on how things are going and reviewing to continually improve. They ensure i have work to do and recognise good work and going the 'extra mile'. It is nice to be appreciated which they ensure is noticed.

We have 3 monthly reviews which the university come in and go through what we have done and have planned, they check up on us and check we are okay with everything etc. Unfortunately in-between with the admin side of things we don't hear a lot off. We have direct contact when needed with the lecturers and they are helpful when it comes to assignments and learning. However if we have a problem due to the distance it is hard to sometimes set something in place.

It allows me to research into the workplace and what we do/ use that i was unaware. We have a summative assignment termed 'molecules in the workplace'. This means i have to research my workplace for the related topic and write about it. It allows me to get to know my workplace better but also grasp a better understand of what sort of materials we use and any reactions (as its chemistry) undergo within the factory or ones we are trying to prevent occurring.

There are none set at my site personally. I have tried to create a once a month social but this hasn't really gone down all that well with only a few coming each time. It is one thing that i would especially like. An upside is that the early learning students ( IP's and apprentices) arrange amongst themselves to go out so there is that.

Yes

GSK is one of the UK's and worlds top pharmaceutical company. It is riddled with opportunity. Every employee has the same values and it is engrained into the company to have a community lifestyle and way or working. This means you can talk to anyone and they will help you. Another value engrained in is the focus on patients and customers at the end of the supply chain. Every employee recognises that there is someone that needs help whether it be they need toothpaste or a life saving drug - it is the epitome of GSK to get that to there customer as fast as possible. You will also learn many skills that you wouldn't elsewhere, especially when doing the apprenticeship. In my opinion it is better than going to university alone by at least 10 fold.

You should just be yourself and not try to be anyone you're not as it will get noticed upon. when applying ensure to read on the GSK values and expectations as well as some basic information about the company and you'll go far through the process. When writing responses and doing activities apply STAR (situation, task, analyse, review) as this will help in many applications of the job. Oh and also be good with acronyms - we have a lot of them :)