Manufacturing Apprentice Review

I am a manufacturing apprentice at GSK Ulverston. This role would eventually become a process technician. The role of a process technician is to monitor the manufacturing processes at GSK Ulverston to ensure that they are running correctly to overall make pharmaceutical products. What I do on a day-to-day basis is shadow these technicians to learn the process and help out where I can.

I have learnt skills such as monitoring processes, fault finding and putting corrective measures in place, skills which will hopefully come in handy for the future. I have helped to develop my teamwork skills when working with the team of operators to get tasks done and I have also developed my independence skills when I have to complete a task on my own.

For my 3 year apprenticeship with GSK, I have really enjoyed it. The management I have worked with have always made me feel welcome and the system they have put in place have helped me to develop as an apprentice and always keep learning. All areas have made me feel welcome and made me willing to learn/

I would say that my apprentice programme is quite well structured. There was a plan in place for my 3 years when I started working for the company which was good. This was related to college and when I finished my time at college, I was given a well structured rotations plan which I am still following.

The support which I receive from my employer I would class as very good. I know that there is always someone to contact regarding issues with y apprenticeship or issues with college and they normally get addressed right away. My manager is very good with addressing and solving any issues I have.

I receive a good amount of support from my training provider regarding my qualifications. I am currently undertaking my HNC with Gen2 and if I had any problems or queries, I would always have someone to contact if needed or I would know where to find additional information to help me.

I feel like my qualifications which I have done through my training provider do help towards my role. I have completed my technical certificate with gen2 in my second and first year as an apprentice and these areas were all related with my role and all areas included tasks or equipment that I have come across in my working area.

There are a few activities to be getting involved in at my work. There are yoga sessions which are hosted at certain lunch times, these are quite popular. There are no sports teams anymore due to the site not having as much employees as past times, however, there is always a legends vs apprentices football game which I have always participated in. This is for charity and is always good and well attended.

Yes

I would recommend GSK to a friend because as a apprentice, I have felt like they have looked after me and gave me good opportunities to progress. There is a redundancy situation at GSK Ulverston which is sad but can not be helped but I would still recommend GSK as a company to others.

The tips and advice I would give to others applying to GSK would be to always research the company so the employers know that you are key to learn. I would also make sure that when in an interview, come across to the interviewer/ employer positively and happy as this will make them relaxed and hopefully relax you in a nervous situation.