Why do an Apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships are structured training programmes which give you a chance to gain a qualification while you work and earn money. Apprenticeships enable you to become a fully competent scientist by building up your skills and experience in the working world alongside experienced staff.

The combination of a qualification and work experience an apprenticeship provides will help you stand out to future employers and support your long-term career. Whichever route you choose to take an apprenticeship can help you to advance in your career with many apprentices going on to senior roles within their companies.

There is a wide, diverse range of apprenticeship types across the UK, with a range of learning options and time commitments to suit you. With levels ranging from 2 (equivalent of GCSE) through to Higher apprenticeships at level 7 (Masters Degree) there are options for all abilities and progression.

Apprenticeships have equivalent educational levels:

The Royal Society of Biology Apprentice of the Year Award

Click here to find out about the RSB’s Apprentice of the Year Award, which is now open for applications. The award is open to anyone completing an apprenticeship in the biosciences. You can also nominate an outstanding apprentice in your team.

Find an Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships can be found by searching the internet for areas which interest you. However not all apprenticeships are advertised, so it is important to be proactive in your search and talk to local colleges, universities and companies about opportunities. A few examples of useful websites for finding Apprenticeships in the Biosciences can be found below:

• National Apprenticeship Service
• Wellcome - Apprenticeship Programme
• Science Council
• Apprenticeships.scot
• Amazing Apprenticeships

Accredited Apprenticeships

The Science Council are committed to raising the profile of apprenticeships and have mapped a series of apprenticeships to the professional registers Registered Scientist (RSci) and Registered Science Technician (RSciTech). They look to work with members and trailblazer groups to promote professional registrations where there is the possibility of alignment, allowing apprentices to be eligible to apply. For full detail on science council mapped apprenticeships, click here. 

Professional registration supports your career by emphasising your commitment to learning and training, whilst allowing opportunities to engage with others in the profession. Find out more about professional registration here.

Click here to read the Science Council’s Apprenticeship blog posts.

T-Levels

T- levels are new courses which follow GCSEs and are equivalent to 3 A levels. They are part of a comprehensive reform of technical education, purposefully created to address identified skills gaps in key sectors. T-Levels deliver the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to perform successfully in the sector.

T-Levels establish clear employment pathways into the science sector and provide 20% on the job experience. For more information visit www.tlevels.gov.uk

Young Apprenticeship Ambassador Network

The Young Apprentice Ambassador Network (YAAN) is a national network of current and past apprentices who want to share their apprenticeship story to inspire others. Click here to find out more.

World Skills UK

World Skills UK is a charity working in partnership with employers, education and governments to help raise training standards and improve young people’s technical and soft skills. Visit their website to access careers advice and skills development hub.

Watch the World Skills UK Spotlight Talk on STEM Apprenticeships.