Apprentice Bioprocess Scientist Review

Mostly GMP cleaning. The apprentices are given most of the responsibility for keeping the GMP facility up to its cleanliness standards. We do 6 month placements in different areas of the business, and I am currently in downstream processing. Some days I have theory training, and other days I have practical training. My days are unpredictably as everyone is incredibly busy. My training so far has been few and far between.

Yes, and no. Based on what Ive heard from other apprentices on my program, I feel as though I am lacking behind in my learning. I feel as though Im not developing my KSBs as well as some of the others. Im not sure eXmoor can provide enough opportunities for me to succeed. That being said, I have much more knowledge about bioprocessing as a whole, GMP and all of the regulations that support that. My university work has (so far) been super applicable to everything I am doing, so I am always able to make links. I have developed my soft skills a lot, including presenting, leading meetings, asking questions and my general confidence has improved.

I really enjoy my university work. I also really enjoy what my job is supposed to be. Unfortunately, I feel as though my company has a poor view on what an apprentice should be, therefore my learning feels slow and unsupported.

My university work is very structured and well-planned. I know exactly what I should be doing, when I should be doing it, and how I can find everything I need. As for my day-to-day job, I feel as though it lacks structure. This is a problem we have brought up with HR. Since I started, they have been working on an apprentice handbook, which should bring in some structure. I havent heard anything more about it being released.

From the senior leadership, I feel like we lack support completely. Our problems arent listened to, and we are typically brushed off. My placement supervisors have been supportive. They always ask about my university work, and try and link my work experience to my learning. They also show interest in our personal lives, interests etc...

The support for our university work is good. We get our dedicated study hours undisturbed. We are given a quiet space for assessments. Our supervisors show interest in our assignments and assessments. I wish we had more routine in terms of our study days. They aren't usually on the same day every week (which I would appreciate).

I have been able to create a lot of links between my studies and my job role. I think Ive been super lucky with the timings of my placements and my university work, and it quite often correlates very well. I think our university work is very well fitted to my job and the industry as a whole.

Social events are organised internally by the employees. These may be within one team, or the entire company. There has only been 1 company-wide social event since I began, and that was for Christmas. The senior leadership team seem to go to professional networking events. Im not sure if these are a possibility for us. We are introduced to networking opportunities via ATAC (Advanced Therapies Apprenticeship Community). eXmoor is flexible with allowing us to attend these.

No

I personally feel as though its a small company with a lot of teething issues. I question whether they were in a position to be hiring apprentices at the time. Personally, I would recommend a larger company as opposed to a CDMO for an apprenticeship.

Ask a lot of questions to make sure everything is clear to you. Speak to someone in the same role that you will be taking on.