Apprentice Review

My role is to support and manufacture oral solid dose for investigational purposes and for the supply of clinical trials. My day begins with a morning meeting where updates are given on how ongoing manufacturing campaigns are progressing. If allocated to a manufacturing campaign, I'll then head to the pilot plant and either set up my room and equipment or do the actual manufacture. On top of manufacturing work, there is always documentation to be working on in the office. These can be validation documents, procedures or batch records.

I've learnt a lot of practical skills. Setting up of equipment, how to use certain tools and how to perform key parts of drug manufacture for example granulation. My proofreading skills have also developed as there are lots of documents that need to be reviewed. I've also developed my communication skills, on a one to one basis and when communicating to a larger audience.

I enjoy being downstairs in the pilot plant, doing practical work. Setting up equipment and doing the actual manufacture are the most enjoyable parts of the job. The people I work with also make the apprenticeship enjoyable. I don't enjoy the paperwork side so much but it is still a vital part of the job.

There is not a whole lot of structure to my programme. Most other apprenticeships in the company work on a rotation basis. The programme I am on is more of a full time job with university study on the side. I have discussed with my manager the opportunity to spend time with other departments, which he has encouraged, but this is not organised.

I have a one to one meeting with my manager every fortnight. This is to discuss anything that is on my mind and is the main point of support. As a year of apprentices within our business unit, we also have scheduled skype meetings with the apprentice programme manager where we can bring up any issues we have.

You have a check in with the university apprenticeship advisor every couple of months where you discuss things like how you are getting on with your current module, if you are ready for the next exam period and how you are getting on with your lab competencies. They will also respond to emails but these are not always prompt replies.

The qualification I am studying for is in applied chemical sciences. This is not really relevant to my job role. As such, I'd say that the qualification doesn't help me to perform better in my job role. There are more relevant qualifications out there, that link better with my job role.

There is an organisation within the company that organises social events for all the apprentices and other early talent programmes. On my site, there is a sports and social club and there often sports events going on here, for example a work charity badminton tournament. You can also join teams associated with the social club.

Yes

They look after their employees well. There is a good benefits and reward package in place for employees. The work that we do also helps people and so the job satisfaction you get is really good. They have all sorts of job roles in the company and so there is a job role for everyone.

Do your research and don't be intimidated by the fact that they are such a big company. Don't try and be an expert in pharmaceuticals before you've got the apprenticeship because odds are you won't be. Be yourself and talk about something you are genuinely passionate about, not something you think GSK want you to be passionate about.