Engineering Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship - Barnard Castle

Job Details

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Engineering Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship - Barnard Castle

GSK Apprenticeships are full-time, early starter jobs that offer Year 13 secondary school and post-16 students the opportunity to begin their career while studying towards a qualification. This qualification is fully funded by GSK so that you can avoid having any debt.

Location

This role is based in Barnard Castle, County Durham where we supply medicines to our patients all around the globe. We operate at an impressive scale, producing over 85 million packs of medicine in 2022. Some of our medicines include:

• HIV Prevention and Cure
• Migraine Treatment
• Cold Sore Treatment
• Hay Fever Treatment

You will be part of a 1,000-strong inclusive and diverse team working on the site. As a prospective technician you will learn how to maintain and repair the equipment that creates quality products in our manufacturing suites, fills them in aseptic facilities and packs them in state-of-the-art machinery.

Education required

• English Language (not Literature) GCSE at grade 4 or above (or equivalent)
• Four additional GCSEs including Maths and a Science at grade 5 or above (or equivalent)

Other requirements

• Must be able to commute to either the GSK Barnard Castle site and South West Durham Training

Key dates

• Expected Start Date: September 2025
• Application Deadline: Apply as soon as possible
• Assessment Centre Date: Held between February and April 2025

We want you to be motivated and passionate for the apprenticeship you apply to – we will only accept ONE Apprenticeship application per candidate each year. Please do your research before applying and do your best with your application!

About the Role

You will be working at GSK’s Barnard Castle manufacturing facility where you’ll be learning how to maintain and improve our pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment and facilities, helping to ensure we can make the medicines and vaccines that we supply to patients.

Here’s how some of our current Engineering Tech Apprentices describe their roles:

Aidan Dunn, Barnard Castle, Engineering Apprentice:

"I really enjoy the role as an Engineering Apprentice as it has a wide variety of work, and it allows me to apply the academic knowledge that I learn at college on real equipment in a factory environment. One of the best things about working for GSK is that it has provided me with opportunities to develop. I particularly enjoyed the outward-bound that we undertook as I got to make friends with people from all over the world during the trip."

Ahead together with tailored training and career development

This is a 4-year, practical, hands-on apprenticeship where you’ll be working towards a Level 3 Science Maintenance Technician qualification through South West Durham Training.

Your studies are fully funded by GSK, and through your day-to-day work you’ll have lots of opportunities to apply your theoretical knowledge in a real-world manufacturing environment.

Other perks include:

• Eligibility for NUS Extra card providing you with discounts to many high street and online outlets
• Access to NxtGen – a social group where you can connect with other GSK apprentices nationally and internationally
• Access to healthcare and well-being programmes
• Employee recognition programs, which reward exceptional achievements
• A buddy and/or mentor who will help you to prepare for joining GSK and who will be there to offer support and guidance throughout your apprenticeship

What will you be doing day-to-day?

At South West Durham Training:

• Attend 4 days a week in the first year to complete and pass AME Level 2
• Attend 1 day a week in year 2, 3 and 4 to complete and pass a BTEC Level 3 and HNC
• Complete Practical and Academic learning activities, on time and to the highest achievable standard

At GSK Barnard Castle:

• Work as a flexible and motivated member of the team
• Engage with fully trained Technicians to learn the operation, maintenance and repair of a wide range of Manufacture, Filling, Inspection and Packaging equipment
• Complete Continuous Improvement, safety and quality engineering actions
• Provide technical support for projects including new product launches, equipment introductions and machine upgrades
• Work various shift patterns to ensure the operational needs of the business are met and learning opportunities are maximised

What do we offer you?

• Starting salary of £18,400 per year, increasing to £25,400 after 1 year + annual bonus based on company performance
• Kickstart a long-term and rewarding career with nationally recognised Engineering Technician qualifications
• All costs of your apprenticeship covered by GSK

About GSK

GSK is a global biopharma company with a special purpose – to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together – so we can positively impact the health of billions of people and deliver stronger, more sustainable shareholder returns – as an organisation where people can thrive. Getting ahead means preventing disease as well as treating it, and we aim to impact the health of 2.5 billion people around the world in the next 10 years. 

GSK Apprenticeships are a brilliant alternative to college courses or university. As one of the worldʼs leading biopharma companies, we offer an on-the-job learning experience that really stands out. Youʼll earn a salary for performing a real role – with your practical experience backed by classroom sessions 

We want GSK to be a place where people feel inspired, encouraged and challenged to be the best they can be. A place where they can be themselves – feeling welcome, valued and included. Where they can keep growing and look after their wellbeing. So, if you share our ambition, join us at this exciting moment in our journey to get Ahead Together

How to apply

To apply for this role and to find out more, please click on the apply button.

Please note that applications may close before the application deadline, so apply early to avoid disappointment.