Say hello to Daniel, who began his apprenticeship at Great Ormand Street Hospital (GOSH) just two months ago. We recently caught up with him to find out how he’s settling in.
- What is your role and where are you based?
My current role is a Laboratory Technician at GOSH. I work in the GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) / C>S (Cell & Gene Therapy Services) department, developing ATMPs (Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products). However, before this role I also worked as a Technician Scientist apprentice in a small start-up for 2 years.
- Why did you choose an apprenticeship?
During secondary school, a large company was advertising the idea of an apprenticeship meaning I found out about the idea of them early. I ended up looking further into them and thought that it was way better than I’d even imagined! Although I didn’t apply to the company that had been advertising, I realised that an apprenticeship was what I wanted to do. For me, it was a no-brainer as you get the experience whilst also getting paid, I don’t see why anyone wouldn’t do it!
- Was it competitive getting your apprentice?
When I first started applying, I did not realise just how competitive apprenticeships could be. I found my previous role through the UCAS website, and was quite lucky as it was a small start-up, so there were not too many applicants. My current apprenticeship is with the NHS, which is much more competitive. I did not fully appreciate how tough the process could be at the time until I applied for this role and initially did not get it. However, luckily something changed, and I was given a second chance, which I am very grateful for. Opportunities like these are rare and not easy to come by.
- How do you find the split of on the job and off the job training?
I’m given enough time to study and learn on the job. I work one day a week from home to complete all the university tasks. My department has never had any apprentices before, so the university has been really supportive in the onboarding process and showing the department what I require from them.
- What does a typical day look like for you?
A “typical day”, for me, is always changing, and that is what I really enjoy about it. I started my apprenticeship here two months ago so at the moment I am doing a lot of training. What I like about this field is that it is constantly evolving. Every day brings a new challenge and surprisingly, not everything I do is strictly science-based. It also involves people skills, time management and leadership.
When I am in the lab, there is always something new to learn, and I enjoy being hands-on. We do a lot of cell culturing and work on creating products, although I won’t go too much into the technical details!
- What were your expectations of an apprenticeship? What have been some of the highlights?
My expectations of what an apprenticeship would be like weren’t necessarily low, but I genuinely didn’t know what to expect when I first started, especially as I had come straight from A-Levels. I thought I would just be working full-time in a workplace setting but it has turned out to be so much more than that. I have been given so many great opportunities to go above and beyond. For example, after showing an interest in developing my understanding of advanced therapies, I was encouraged and supported to attend an Advanced Therapies conference, which was an amazing experience. There are lots of chances to excel and get involved in extracurricular activities.
One of my favourite highlights so far has been visiting the House of Lords. I had the chance to network with other apprentices from other fields and it was a great opportunity to raise concerns and discuss what it means to be an apprentice.
I am also part of an apprenticeship community, which has allowed me to travel across the country for training purposes and visit other workplaces in a similar sector. That has been invaluable for networking and learning from others in the field.
- How have you found the support from the university and your line manager?
The support I have received has been excellent. My line manager has been incredibly helpful and proactive in helping me expand my knowledge in any subject I show interest in. It is not just about science either. They have really supported my personal development as well.
The university has also been great. Whenever I have a question or need help understanding something, the professors are quick to respond or happy to jump on a call. They are always reassuring and make me feel supported throughout the learning process.
- What is a piece of advice you would give to someone trying to start / starting an apprenticeship?
For people looking to secure an apprenticeship role:
For anyone trying to get started, it really is like a job interview. You must sell yourself and be willing to step outside your comfort zone. Having a bit of experience can definitely help set you apart from other candidates. However, do not worry if you do not have a lot of experience as the companies that are hiring apprentices are usually very open-minded and genuinely want to help you grow. That is exactly what an apprenticeship is for.
For those who have just started a role:
For those just starting out, really put yourself out there and take every opportunity that comes your way. Of course, it is important not to overwork yourself or risk burning out, but by saying ‘yes’ to new experiences, you can build a wide range of skills and start to figure out what you really enjoy.
- What are your future plans/aspirations? How do you see your career progressing?
It is early days as I’m only 2 months in, but the idea is to take every day as it comes, learn as much as I can in my position and keep pushing myself. My aim is to be constantly ‘comfortably uncomfortable’ as that means I am growing.
Interested in employing an apprentice? Contact us on Recruitapprenticeships@kent.ac.uk