Level 3 (at end of programme) equivalent to BTEC/A-Levels
24 months duration
depending on prior learning & off-site-training
£21,000 funding band maximum
available from Apprenticeship Levy
Level 3 Laboratory Technician
Working as part of a multi-disciplinary team focusing on laboratory skills for the manufacture of advanced therapeutics and complex medicines.
Occupation Summary
A laboratory technician may carry out both routine and one-off laboratory testing and perform a variety of technical support functions across the organisation. Working safety and ethically is paramount and many companies operate under highly regulated conditions because of the need to control the quality and safety of products. Laboratory technicians are expected to work both individually and as part of a laboratory team, able to work with minimum supervision, taking responsibility for the quality and accuracy of the work that is undertaken.
Typical job roles may include: Analytical Support Chemist, Technical Support Scientist, Microbiology Support Scientist, Process Development Technologist, Laboratory Assistant, Senior Laboratory Technician, Technical Specialist, Quality Control Laboratory Assistant, Laboratory Co-ordinator, Technical Laboratory Assistant, Laboratory Analyst, Laboratory Research Assistant.
Knowledge:
The knowledge that a Laboratory Technician will acquire is centred around building an understanding of workplace procedures and scientific theory that go into maintaining a safe and productive laboratory environment. To this end, the Laboratory Technician will develop an understanding of quality standards and health & safety requirements (including, but not limited to: risk assessments, COSHH, HASWA, display screen equipment and manual handling). The Laboratory Technician will build an understanding of the context of their role, including their role within their organisation, ethical practice, codes of conduct, and the regulatory requirements pertinent to their employer’s sector. They will also develop theoretical understanding of the scientific subject relevant to their role. For a full list of knowledge that the apprentice will need to develop, view the occupational standard held by Skills England.
Skills:
The skills the Laboratory Technician will develop centre around applying their knowledge gained in order to operate a safe and functional laboratory environment. This involves compliance with health and safety requirements, maintaining excellent housekeeping, maintaining equipment and reporting faults, controlling laboratory stocks and managing laboratory resources, keeping accurate records and contributing to reports. For a full list of skills that the apprentice will need to demonstrate, view the occupational standard held by Skills England.
Behaviours:
The Laboratory Technician will be working as part of a team, and so will need to develop effective communication and teamworking skills. They will need to develop an understanding of the impact of their work on others, demonstrate reliability, integrity and respect for confidentiality. For a full list of behaviours that the apprentice will need to develop, view the occupational standard held by Skills England.
Entry requirements
- Typically apprentices will hold Level 2 qualifications, equivalent to 5 GCSE’s above Grade C/4 providing the appropriate background to support learning at Level 3.
- Apprentices without Level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to endpoint assessment.
- For those with an education, health and care plan, the English and maths minimum requirement is entry Level 3.
Progression routes
- At the end of this apprenticeship apprentices will have achieved a BTEC in applied Sciences.
- Following successful completion of endpoint assessment the apprentice will operate as a Laboratory Technician.
- The apprenticeship is aligned with professional registration at RSciTech with Science Council.
- Further apprenticeships and academic learning supporting roles at Level 5 & 6 for Laboratory Scientist or Healthcare Science Practitioner.
- The successful apprentice may then progress onto a higher level apprenticeship, either the Level 6 Scientist or Level 5 Technician Scientist, depending on employer capacity.
Training providers:
Training provider analysis
This is an established apprenticeship standard completed by Life Science Employers in 2014 with many apprentices completing the programme successfully across different science industries. Training provider analysis revealed one independent provider able to deliver the apprenticeship including an Applied Sciences BTEC using a blended learning approach, on-line classroom & practical summer schools.
Next steps
This programme starts in September 2025 and is recruiting now.
For more information, please contact us at apprenticeshipsinfo@ct.catapult.org.uk