Design and Manufacture Graduate Apprenticeship - Irvine

Job Details

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Design and Manufacture Graduate Apprenticeship - Irvine

Join GSK’s Engineering Graduate Apprenticeship Programme – UK, 2025: Help us get ahead of disease together and earn while you learn 

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. 

This role is based at the Irvine Manufacturing site in Scotland, which is a key facility for GSK, specializing in the production of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs). Equipped with advanced technologies and adhering to stringent quality and regulatory standards, the site ensures high-quality output and efficient large-scale manufacturing. Employing a skilled workforce, the Irvine site operates 24/7 to produce a significant volume of medicines, which are distributed globally, reaching millions of patients. Additionally, the site is involved in research and development to drive process improvements and sustainability initiatives, reinforcing GSK’s commitment to environmental responsibility and continuous innovation. 

Education required: 

• UCAS Tariff: 96. 
• Scottish Higher: BBCC or equivalent, including Higher in Maths with a grade of B or above and a Science or Technology Higher.  

Other requirements: 

• If offered a position the candidate must be willing to enroll and meet entry requirements. 
• Must be able to commute to the Irvine site and Caledonian University Glasgow 
• Irvine is a Penicillin Manufacturing site. Please consider this if you are allergic to beta-lactam penicillin. 
• You must be living and working in Scotland, for the previous 3 years prior to the commencement of the Graduate Apprenticeship.  

Expected Start date: August 2025. 

Application deadline: We recommend you apply as soon as possible. This vacancy will close when we have received enough applications, so please apply as soon as you can so your application can be considered. 

Assessment centre date: Assessment centres for shortlisted candidates will be held between February and April 2025. 

We want you to feel truly motivated and passionate about the Apprenticeship you choose. Take the time to research thoroughly before applying, as you’ll need to show us why this role is the role for you. Wishing you the best of luck with your application! 

Are you looking to gain a head start in your career where you can help positively impact the health of billions of people? Apply for the Irvine Apprenticeship programme at GSK today!  

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

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

Kyle Robertson – Engineering Graduate Apprentice – Irvine 

“A GSK Graduate Apprenticeship provided an environment where I can push and challenge myself each day. Getting the opportunity to learn on the job, gaining invaluable experience while completing a university degree is a pathway into the industry that I am grateful for. I have also had the opportunity to build a network of fellow apprentices and industries leaders up and down the UK through events over the course of my apprenticeship.” 

Callum Black, Engineering Apprentice, Irvine site 

‘I’m a third-year engineering apprentice. So far, my experience on site has been great through working alongside competent tradesman and engineers every day, who have vast experience in the industry whether it be with GSK or elsewhere. For me, the best part of the GSK experience is the opportunities to challenges to develop myself, such as the outward bound and fieri trips.’ 

Chris Callander, Engineering Apprentice, Irvine site 

“GSK has helped me to gain qualifications which are recognised throughout industry. I have also built effective communication and teamworking skills through various workshops and retreats all over the UK.” 

Ellie Wilson, Engineering Apprentice, Irvine site 

“I have found that the best part of being a GSK apprentice is that you get to learn new things every day and work alongside different Individuals within a team. I also really enjoy the experiences which we get to do every year like outward bound which allows us to meet other GSK Apprentices from all over the world”  

Ahead together with tailored training and career development 

This is a 4-year practical, hands-on Graduate Apprenticeship where you’ll be working towards a BEng (Hons) Engineering Design & Manufacture (Controls and Instrumentation pathway) work-based degree at Caledonian University Glasgow. 

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

What will you be doing day to day? 

• Work alongside experienced Engineers. 
• Learn about Process Control Systems plus all types of instrumentation and their use on site. 
• Fault find, diagnose and resolve plant issues. 
• Work on Safety, Quality, Productivity, Energy and Sustainability projects. 
• Recommend and action improvements. 
• Help design, test, and install Control System Improvements. 
• Support new Capital Projects. 
• Learn business skills with other apprentices. 
• Complete community projects as part of a team.  

What do we offer you? 

• Starting salary of £20,800 per year increasing to £26,400 after 1 year (subject to review annually) + annual bonus based on company performance. 
• Kickstart a long-term and rewarding career with nationally recognised Engineering qualifications. Lots of our current engineering team leaders and senior managers across the site started their careers as Engineering Apprentices so this is a great starting point! 
• All costs of your Engineering Graduate Apprenticeship will be paid for by GSK. 

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 programs. 
• 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. 

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.