Why a GSK apprenticeship?

Transcription

1 Why a GSK apprenticeship?

2 My engineering apprenticeship has given me the boost to further my engineering career and education in the future. Alastair, Maintenance electrician

3 Who are we? GSK is a FTSE 100 company and one of the largest science-led healthcare companies in the world. We produce around four billion packs of medicines each year, which are marketed in more than 150 countries. Our products are used to treat major diseases such as asthma, cancer, diabetes and infections. GSK also produces a range of consumer products you may be familiar with many of them such as Lucozade, Sensodyne, Aquafresh toothpaste and Ribena. In short, we are dedicated to helping millions of people around the world to do more, feel better and live longer. Our apprenticeships give school and college leavers a genuine alternative to going to university a great chance to earn while you learn. The apprenticeships are based at our manufacturing and Research & Development (R&D) sites, as well as at our west London head office, and cover a range of functions from engineering to IT, laboratory analysts to artwork & design. If you are interested in making a difference to peoples lives while improving your own prospects, then a GSK apprenticeship could be right for you.

4 What is a GSK apprenticeship? GSK apprenticeships offer you the chance to study towards nationally recognised qualifications while gaining valuable, paid work experience. Our apprentices work towards a minimum level 3 Advanced apprenticeship. In some instances, a level 4 Higher apprenticeship may be offered, which is equivalent to a foundation degree. The apprenticeship is made up of a number of study modules, usually undertaken in college, combined with on-the-job training to give you hands-on experience of the working environment. From early on, you will be working in a real team to deliver genuine business objectives. You will also complete a personal development plan, tailored to you, and take on a number of different roles to accelerate your progress. Throughout the scheme, you will also receive regular feedback and coaching, while a personal mentor will be on hand to advise, support and help you to realise your potential. You will be employed throughout the scheme on an apprenticeship contract, giving you access to valuable GSK benefits! And when you complete your apprenticeship? You could be offered a role at GSK if you have demonstrated the skills and behaviours we look for in our locally grown talent. During the programme, there will be opportunities to meet apprentices from other functions across the business to take part in key skill training, share experiences and develop a network of useful contacts.

5 What s on offer? As a GSK apprentice, you can expect a competitive reward package, along with the opportunity to develop new skills through experience and training in our highly professional business environment. Here s a quick summary of what s on offer in our TotalReward (Pay and Benefits) package: a competitive base salary an annual performance-related bonus 26 days paid holiday a year plus bank holidays pension plan membership private healthcare other benefits including tax free plans for bikes, health assessments and a ShareReward scheme What are we looking for? To become one of our apprentices, you ll need: a minimum of five GCSEs or equivalent at grade C or above (including English and Maths) passion for your area of interest an enquiring mind the enthusiasm to learn For full details about apprenticeship-specific qualifications/requirements, please visit Where do I fit in? At GSK we have a range of apprenticeships across a variety of disciplines and functions some of which are featured here. For the full range on offer, please visit our website Multi-skilled engineering Our multi-skilled engineering apprenticeship is designed to create the engineers of the future and some of the best engineers we have today joined us as an apprentice. During your apprenticeship, you will develop practical mechanical, electrical, control and automation skills. Depending on your site, you will spend time in manufacturing, packaging or utilities & facilities where you will learn to operate and maintain production equipment, carry out routine maintenance, diagnose and deal with breakdowns and help design, test and commission new equipment. IT The world of IT is ever changing and our IT apprenticeships provide an in-depth understanding of the way we use technology to contribute to the growth of the business. Gaining hands-on experience of numerous IT departments, you will be observing the varied day-to-day operations of different business areas which could be anything from IT testing to system advancements or development work to give you a well-rounded skill set. Technology is critical to our business and we need self-motivated individuals who can solve problems, see the bigger picture and adapt to the world around them. An IT apprenticeship gives you the chance to gain professional qualifications whilst working with world-leading technologies in a fast-moving, dynamic environment. Artwork & design Ever wondered who designed the artwork for a bottle of Lucozade, a carton of Ribena or even a tube of Aquafresh toothpaste? If so, then you might be interested in an artwork & design apprenticeship in PASS our Pack Artwork Shared Service. PASS manages artwork for our Pharmaceuticals, Vaccines and Consumer Healthcare businesses. Within PASS, there are a number of different roles you could fulfil; our CAD operators for instance provide the technical specifications and drawings for our leaflets, as well as the cartons that contain our products and the labels that give consumers the information they need. The text and graphic elements, such as logos, in the artwork file are created by the artwork operator or graphic designer, before everything is given a final quality assurance check by our proof readers.

6 Laboratory analyst All GSK products and product enhancements start life in a laboratory whether that s developing a new treatment, improving the taste of a product like Lucozade or testing the effects of a nutritional product like Maximuscle. Our multi-skilled laboratory analyst apprenticeships will equip you with the skills to tackle a variety of scientific challenges covering histology (the study of tissues), animal technology, investigative preclinical toxicology and clinical chemistry. During an R&D apprenticeship, you will learn about animal husbandry which includes; care for the animals in our facilities; calibration of equipment; processing and analysis of blood and other biological samples; and development of in-vitro testing systems. On a manufacturing laboratory apprenticeship, you will help ensure that our products meet strict specification limits for content and uniformity. You will experience everything from traditional wet chemistry techniques used for testing raw materials, to the use of bespoke automated equipment for the testing of finished products. Some of your time will also be spent working with other teams to get new products ready for manufacturing on a large scale as we launch them to market. Supply chain apprentice Making sure our products get to our patients and customers when they need them is vital. As a supply chain apprentice based at a manufacturing site or in our head office, you will be involved in the manufacturing planning process, as well as the delivery of the finished goods. If you have well-developed computer and organisational skills, combined with a strong customer focus, join our dynamic supply chain team. What skills will I gain? A GSK apprenticeship is not just about gaining a vocational qualification. We see our apprenticeship scheme as a means to develop the shapers and leaders of our future. So our aim will be to give you a thoroughly rounded learning experience. As well as gaining practical levels of experience within your chosen field, you will be improving your presentation skills, developing your project management skills and learning lean business improvement techniques. There will also be the opportunity to get involved with your local community, helping in schools and undertaking charity work. Find out more at

7 I completed my engineering apprenticeship with GSK and it set me up for a career that s included many project management roles through to director level. Mark, Site director

8 FAQs Where are the placements based? There are many opportunities available at GSK sites across the country. To find out the nearest apprenticeship opportunity to you, please visit our website When does the scheme start? If you are successful, and providing you meet the grades required by your role, you will join our apprenticeship scheme along with the other apprentices at the start of the academic year usually in August or September, depending on location. What are my career prospects at GSK? We are committed to developing our employees and their careers. A GSK apprenticeship will give you a chance to learn your trade while gaining real industry experience. Statistics show that, over the course of their career, people with apprenticeships earn on average 100,000 more than those without. Do I have to pay anything to become an apprentice? No quite the reverse. While you are a GSK apprentice, we will pay your salary as you undertake on-the-job training. Any additional training expenditure or fees will be covered either by GSK or the National Apprenticeship Service. Do I have to pay National Insurance? Yes. As you are over 16, you will have to pay tax and National Insurance on your income. How do I contact you? If you have any questions about our apprenticeship programmes, please contact us at gsk@gradweb.co.uk (A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Apprenticeships and Other Vocational Qualifications, University of Sheffield, 2007)

9 I have been interested in science since an early age and chose a laboratory analyst apprenticeship at GSK to further my learning and skills in many areas of scientific research & development. Jack, Apprentice laboratory analyst

10 What does the recruitment process involve? It s a two-way thing. We want you to find out as much about us as we want to find out about you. Your future is important, and so is having the right information to help you decide on the path that is right for you. That s why our recruitment process is deliberately thorough. Step 1 Step 3 Find out what GSK apprenticeships have to offer. Are our programmes right for you? Find out by visiting our website If you like what you have seen and believe a GSK apprenticeship is right for you, now is the time to apply. Step 2 To start an application, you will need to register your details. If you have already started an application, you can log into your online account in order to complete this or to track the progress of your application. You may be required to take an online test, which looks at the key attributes needed for a job at GSK. There may also be an additional online test dependant on the apprenticeship you are applying for. Step 4 Step 5 If we like the look of your online application, we will follow it up with a telephone interview just to find out a little bit more about you. The final stage is an on-site assessment centre where we both get the chance to learn more about each other through an interview, short presentation and some team or individual exercises. For more detailed information on each individual programme, and how to apply, please visit (You can also apply on this site.) If you have any questions regarding the programme, you can contact us on or gsk@gradweb.co.uk