Apprentice Laboratory Assistant

FERA SCIENCE LIMITED

York, YO41 1LZ

Closes on Friday 28 February

Posted on 25 October 2024

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Summary

Join us as an Apprentice Laboratory Assistant and make an invaluable contribution to our Food Safety & Biosecurity! Use your passion for science and practical mindset to kickstart your career in a dynamic and varied work environment.

Annual wage
£23,400 a year

Minimum wage rates (opens in new tab)

Training course
Laboratory technician (level 3)
Hours
Monday - Friday, hours to be confirmed.

37 hours a week

Possible start date

Sunday 31 August

Duration

2 years

Positions available

6

Work

As an apprentice, you’ll work at a company and get hands-on experience. You’ll gain new skills and work alongside experienced staff.

What you’ll do at work

Based in Plant Protection supporting in the core laboratories you will:

  • Contribute towards pathogen diagnosis in the laboratory to support plant protection within the UK and overseas for both commercial and government
  • Responding to emergency delivery needs as they arise
  • Attending York College and University Centre one day a week (term time only)
  • Working independently as well as part of a team.

Where you’ll work

York Biotech Campus

Sand Hutton

York

YO41 1LZ

Training

An apprenticeship includes regular training with a college or other training organisation. At least 20% of your working hours will be spent training or studying.

College or training organisation

YORK COLLEGE

Your training course

Laboratory technician (level 3)

Equal to A level

Course contents
  • Comply with health and safety policies and procedures including HASWA, COSHH, risk assessments, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), manual handling, emergency procedures.
  • Maintain excellent housekeeping, in accordance with organisation Standard Procedures
  • Order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required
  • Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks applying the concepts of resource efficiency e.g energy, water and waste
  • Adhere to internal and external regulatory requirements e.g. GLP, GMP, GDP
  • Prepare for, and perform, laboratory experiments, tests or tasks following any specified methodologies to provide reliable, accurate data e.g. weighing, pipetting, filtering, spectroscopic techniques, chromatography techniques
  • Demonstrate technical competence in the use of specified instruments and equipment
  • Report faults and seek diagnostic advice to maintain equipment in good working order, including calibration where required
  • Complete documentation proficiently
  • Keep accurate records of laboratory work undertaken and results
  • Contribute to the preparation of reports.
  • Use simple statistical techniques for data presentation and evaluation e. g calculation of median and standard deviation, production of graphs
  • Demonstrate problem solving techniques including identification of sources of error and how they can be reduced e.g. human error
  • Use standard software packages and applications e.g. Microsoft Office suite
  • Use Laboratory Information Management systems to support their work
  • Address non-routine problems with samples and instrumentation, within defined areas
  • Identify relevant information from scientific sources e.g. supervisors, literature etc. in order to contribute to solutions
  • Participate in continuous performance improvement of systems and processes relevant to the work environment e.g. workplace organisation techniques, accreditation (e.g. ISO, UKAS) and proficiency testing.
  • Evaluate data, recognise and call attention to anomalous or unusual results
  • Comply with health and safety policies and procedures including HASWA, COSHH, risk assessments, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), manual handling, emergency procedures.
  • Maintain excellent housekeeping, in accordance with organisation Standard Procedures
  • Order and control stocks of laboratory materials where required
  • Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks applying the concepts of resource efficiency e.g energy, water and waste
  • Adhere to internal and external regulatory requirements e.g. GLP, GMP, GDP
  • Prepare for, and perform, laboratory experiments, tests or tasks following any specified methodologies to provide reliable, accurate data e.g. weighing, pipetting, filtering, spectroscopic techniques, chromatography techniques
  • Demonstrate technical competence in the use of specified instruments and equipment
  • Report faults and seek diagnostic advice to maintain equipment in good working order, including calibration where required
  • Complete documentation proficiently
  • Keep accurate records of laboratory work undertaken and results
  • Contribute to the preparation of reports.
  • Use simple statistical techniques for data presentation and evaluation e. g calculation of median and standard deviation, production of graphs
  • Demonstrate problem solving techniques including identification of sources of error and how they can be reduced e.g. human error
  • Use standard software packages and applications e.g. Microsoft Office suite
  • Use Laboratory Information Management systems to support their work
  • Address non-routine problems with samples and instrumentation, within defined areas
  • Identify relevant information from scientific sources e.g. supervisors, literature etc. in order to contribute to solutions
  • Participate in continuous performance improvement of systems and processes relevant to the work environment e.g. workplace organisation techniques, accreditation (e.g. ISO, UKAS) and proficiency testing.
  • Evaluate data, recognise and call attention to anomalous or unusual results

    • Your training plan

    Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship Level 3.

    Alongside the apprenticeship you will study the HNC in Applied Science - Biology Pathway as required by the employer.

    What will I study?

    HNC in Applied Science - Biology pathway (optional):

    This course will develop you with a broad knowledge and awareness of key aspects of Applied Sciences through these units:

    • Fundamentals of Laboratory Techniques
    • Scientific Data Handling Approaches and Techniques
    • Regulation and Quality in the Applied Sciences
    • Core units (Mandatory)
    • Fundamentals of Laboratory Techniques 15 4
    • Scientific Data Handling Approaches and Techniques
    • Regulation and Quality in the Applied Sciences (Pearson-set)
    • Cell Biology
    • Fundamentals of Chemistry
    • Anatomy and Human Physiology
    • Proposed specialist units
    • Fundamentals of biochemistry
    • Work-based investigation

    Method of delivery:

    The Apprenticeship delivery involves a blended learning method, using classroom discussion and our virtual learning environment to enhance learning. Apprentices will have a day release to attend College to study the qualification. The apprenticeship will also have progress reviews and observations in the workplace on a 6-8-week basis, checking necessary progress.

    How will I be assessed?

    There are three parts to End-Point Assessment for the Level 3 apprenticeship:

    • The Knowledge Test assesses an apprentices ability for knowledge recall to enable working safely, maintain accuracy and work cost-effectively. This will involve a multiple-choice question test, with some answers related to a given scenario
    • The Observation with Questioning is an observation in the workplace of the ability of the apprentice to perform laboratory tasks following specific procedures, working safely, and demonstrating an understanding of the data produced.

    The Structured Interview covers the whole Apprenticeship Standard and is an opportunity to present evidence to support elements of the standard that were not possible to demonstrate in the observation.
    HNC in Applied Science - Biology pathway :

    Assessment will be by a variety of methods including:

    • Examination
    • Assignment
    • Open book exam
    • Practical assessment
    • Presentation

    Requirements

    Essential qualifications

    GCSE or equivalent in:

    • English (grade 4/C or above)
    • maths (grade 4/C or above)
    • biology or chemistry or science-based qual (grade C or above)

    Let the company know about other relevant qualifications and industry experience you have. They can adjust the apprenticeship to reflect what you already know.

    Skills

    • Communication skills
    • IT skills
    • Attention to detail
    • Organisation skills
    • Analytical skills
    • Ability to work to deadlines
    • Ability to follow instruction
    • Determined

    Other requirements

    We’re an equal opportunity employer, which means we recruit and develop people based on their merit and passion. We’re committed to providing an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment process and working environment for everyone. If you need the job description or application form in an alternative format or if you’d like to discuss other changes or support you might need going forward, please email at recruitment@fera.co.uk and we’ll get back to you.

    About this company

    As a trusted partner of industry for over 100 years we are committed to protecting the environment through partnerships and original thinking that address and respond to the challenges ahead. We have brought a wide range of disciplines together in the fields of food, environmental safety and agri-tech including plant, animal and bee health, wildlife and food safety and authenticity that supports the agri-food chain and ultimately protects the consumer.

    https://www.fera.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)

    Company benefits

    Benefits include: 23 days’ holiday with the opportunity to buy extra leave Flexible working hours On-site gym Restaurant Free parking Company matched pension Life assurance

    After this apprenticeship

    • Full time employment.

    Ask a question

    The contact for this apprenticeship is:

    YORK COLLEGE

    Apprenticeships

    apprenticeships@yorkcollege.ac.uk

    01904 770368

    The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC1000284031.

    Apply now

    Closes on Friday 28 February

    When you apply, you’ll be asked to sign in with a GOV.UK One Login. You can create one at the same time as applying for this apprenticeship.

    After signing in, you’ll apply for this apprenticeship on the company's website.