Why an apprenticeship? Read Izzy’s fascinating story
A Chemical Engineering Degree Apprentice at GSK in Ulverston and Barnard Castle, Izzy facilitates the manufacturing of antibiotics that help patients worldwide. Izzy’s day-to-day job predominantly involves helping solve problems that prevent GSK’s primary and secondary manufacturing sites from functioning safely and efficiently. Working towards her bachelor’s degree on day release with the University of Strathclyde, Izzy’s apprenticeship allows her to keep developing her technical and transferable skills, improving her capability and performance at work.
I never knew what I wanted to do when I was in Sixth Form. All I knew is I wanted a career where I contributed to improving people’s lives. I was always interested in science so applied to university for Environmental Science as I was not very informed of opportunities other than university. I came across my current apprenticeship on GSK’s website and their values aligned with mine so I thought I would be a good fit into the company. I did not know much about Chemical Engineering until after the interview process, but I can now confidently say this role encompasses all I have been looking for in starting my career; science, maths and contributing to improving people’s lives through manufacturing medicines.
I started my apprenticeship at one of GSK’s primary manufacturing facilities where our active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) is manufactured, before moving to the secondary manufacturing facility where the API is further processed and packaged. Due to our work with hazardous materials on a large scale, my work is encompassed by Process Safety (the prevention and control of major accident hazards), improving systems/ processes and the culture surrounding this. This sometimes takes the form of an engineering project, or training operators to improve understanding. Problem solving is a key skill developed throughout my work and is transferable through many different applications now and in the future.
I work for GSK four days a week, and one day a week I work towards my degree which is a mixture of coursework and exams. My day-to-day work is versatile- one day I can be independently writing reports and updating critical documents, the other I can be in the production area helping to solve problems in a cross-functional team.
Throughout my time at GSK, I have had a wide range of development opportunities outside of the technical realm; speaking at STEM events, mentoring early talent, and leading CIA’s ChemTalent group are just a few examples of this.
I am now in the final year of my apprenticeship. This time next year I will have achieved a BEng Hons Chemical Engineering Degree, along with five years of experience in the pharmaceutical industry, working and living in three different locations/ sites throughout my time as an apprentice. All of this will be completed with no student debt and while receiving the benefits of a full-time employee (pay, holidays etc). The experience I have gained has been invaluable thus far, but the professional network I have built even more so. The transferable and technical skills I have developed are incredible. I don’t believe I could have gained this level of competency through university alone; the apprenticeship route was definitely the right route for me.
Did you know…
The chemical and pharmaceutical industry is fundamental to modern society. With an immense variety of products, from vital medicines and foods, the construction of buildings, to transport and leisure, the industry truly does have an impact on virtually every aspect of our daily lives.
- 17.5% of total UK business R&D spend.
- 4,100 businesses directly employing 138,000 people while supporting over 500,000 jobs in the economy.
- Highly productive sector with £200,298 GVA* per employee, 302% higher than whole economy average and 236% higher than manufacturing.
- One of the UK’s largest exporters of manufactured goods with annual exports of £61bn.
- Salaries over 21% higher than manufacturing and 27% higher than the whole economy average.
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