Biology Laboratory Apprentice Review

I am a biology laboratory apprentice, working 4 days a week and studying 1 day a week towards an Applied Bioscience degree. My normal day consists of laboratory work, analysing and writing up the data and attending meetings. I also read into literature papers to assist my learning and have to carry out MyLearnings when required.

I have learnt a lot of new laboratory skills, such as ELISA, MSD, flow cytometry and histology techniques. I have also developed skills such as communication and confidence through presenting my work in team meetings and talking to a variety of different audiences. I have also developed my networking skills during my time at GSK, as this is a very important skill to have.

I enjoy my apprenticeship at GSK, both working in the company and completing my university degree. The degree subjects tie in well with my job role, therefore making it more interesting and relevant to the work I am carrying out. I enjoy the department I am in, both because of the projects I am on and the people I am working with.

The programme is quite well structured and organised, with it being made clear that we are allowed to have one study day a week, and if this is missed, another day is taken the following week. The exam periods are also well structured. There could however be more clarity on the steps involved in finishing the apprenticeship.

I receive a lot of support from my employer. HR are always available to provide support wherever needed. I also get a lot of support from my manager, both in the lab and with university work. My colleagues are always keen to help me with my university assignments and coming up to exams.

There is a fair amount of support from the university, with them offering real-time talks on a regular basis to discuss any concerns we have or anything that we are unsure of. They also allow us to submit practice exam papers when coming up to exams and give feedback for these. There could however be more detailed study guides so that more of the topic is covered.

My qualification helps a lot in my job role, as a lot of the content ties in with the work I am currently carrying out. For example, my recent module on Infection and Immunity was what I am currently doing for my project at work. This meant that my university work helped provide me with background knowledge for the lab work I am carrying out.

There are a lot of social activities to get involved in, and these are organised by a group of apprentices. We also have a gym at work and there are many sports teams you can become a member of, I am a part of the netball team. Professional networking events are also held regularly at the site.

Yes

They are one of the top pharmaceutical companies and there are many perks to working with them. They fund the degree for you, and being able to work alongside knowledgeable scientists is a very good developmental opportunity. Apprentices are also entitled to perks such as the bonus scheme and pension plan.

When filling out the application for GSK, make sure to read into GSK as a company, in particular their values as this will show you care specifically about the company. Think about why you would want to work for GSK in particular and make sure you have an up to date CV.