Process Engineer Apprentice Review

I work in PSR (Particle Size Reduction). Here we process API into a smaller particle size to then be made into tablets/ any form of medicine. We do this for clinical trials and experiments. On a day to day basis this means communicating with the project team about information surrounding the drug, setting up documents and equipment for the processing of it and lab work to analyse the finished product.

Yes, I’ve built up my communication skills from interacting with various people from all levels of the company. I’ve learnt technical skills such as building up PSR equipment and using it. I’ve learnt lab skills and GLP (Good Lab Practice) I’ve learnt to incorporate GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) and SHE (Safety, Health and Environment) into my way of working.

I extremely enjoy my programme. I enjoy working on real life projects and constantly being in exposure of projects that go through the company as this gives me the extent of what goes on into making a drug that goes into market. I also enjoy studying along with working as it gives a change of pace and solidifies my learning from work.

Fairly well organised. There is clear understanding of when each module starts, when exams are happening and what is expected of you. There is a clear schedule of when each webinar is and the lecturers communicate if there are any changes. However the lecturers don’t always communicate with themselves which can lead to some deadlines being very close to each other but it is manageable.

There is lots of support at work! You have 3 primary people you can go to for all types of support. You have your line manager, your mentor and your buddy and these people will cover basically any questions you have from work, life and uni. Then you have everyone else (people in your team for example) who can support you if you are stuck on anything work related.

There is a forum for every module where students can ask questions they are stuck with. The lecturers are quick and usually respond within a day. The forum is particularly helpful as other students can reply to your questions and everyone can see the answers. There are many points of contact from your lecturers to your degree organisers and everyone always responds in a timely manner.

As it is the first year there haven’t been many instances of this. However I can see the link that future modules will have on my job role. Modules such as heat and mass transfer and fluid dynamics will be useful for processing in PSR and for future secondments in other chemical engineering related areas.

There are many extra curricular activities, especially during National Apprenticeship Week. There is an apprentice committee who put on regular social events such as in work coffee and cake mornings, apprentice lunches/dinners and apprentice nights out. There are also company sports teams we can join. There are networking opportunities with organised lunches from senior colleagues and new joiner quizzes.

Yes

It is a great company - there is so much help provided and the people you work with really consider you as a part of the team and want you to succeed. You are given responsibility early on and expected to work on real life projects. The company cares about your well-being and the benefits provided are great.

Research into the company and their values and write down situations where you have demonstrated those values. Be yourself as the interviewer just wants to know your personality and if you can fit into the work environment so just be natural. Take a look at the videos on the careers website !