Our Level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship in Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences is designed for individuals aspiring to support scientific investigations in laboratory environments, playing a key role in the development, testing, and analysis of materials, medicines, and biological samples.
Working under the supervision of scientists and senior technicians, you will contribute to essential tasks such as preparing experiments, operating laboratory equipment, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring compliance with industry regulations. This apprenticeship not only equips individuals with the technical competencies required in biomedical and pharmaceutical settings, but also develops transferable skills such as problem-solving, communication, and teamwork.
You will meet with your Apprenticeship Assessor every 4 weeks, remotely, for approximately one hour. During this session, your assessor will help you gather workplace evidence and link your curriculum learning with the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) that make up the apprenticeship standard. Your assessor will also discuss the tasks you're working on in your workplace and assign activities that integrate curriculum study, KSBs, and real-world tasks, allowing you to generate solid evidence. You will then gather this evidence and upload it to your e-portfolio.
You will need exposure to relevant workplace experience in order to gather evidence that meets the Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours outlined in the Professional Standard.
While Maths and English Functional Skills are optional, you will need one of the following qualifications to be eligible:
If you're interested in science and want to progress in the industry, the Laboratory Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship is a brilliant way to enhance your career aspirations. You'll gain hands-on experience in real lab environments, learning to use scientific equipment and follow professional procedures while getting paid to train—no student debt required. Alongside an industry recognised CertHE in Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences. you'll build a strong foundation for further study or roles like lab analyst, research technician, or quality control scientist.
Throughout the apprenticeship, you'll develop a wide range of scientific, technical, and transferable skills. From performing lab tests and analysing data to understanding safety regulations and working to industry standards like GMP and GLP, you’ll be equipped for success in the life sciences. You'll also sharpen your problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills, all while building valuable connections with professionals in the biomedical and pharmaceutical sectors. If you're ready to step into a science career with real momentum, this apprenticeship is your ideal opportunity.
If you decided to take the Level 3 Laboratory Technician without a qualification please find below the core and pathway topics you will study as listed by the Science Council.
Core Topics:
1. Introduction to the periodic table - elements, trends and basics of chemical/physical properties, atoms.
2. Introduction on kinetics and thermodynamics and rates of reaction.
- Awareness of electricity, magnetism and electromagnetism, risks
- Overview of living organisms
- Theory of and use of lab equipment
- Chemical analysis/identification of substances
- Separation science
- Nuclear physics
Biology Pathway:
Chemistry Pathway:
You will be assessed throughout the duration of your apprenticeship. There are three parts to the End-Point Assessment (EPA) for the Level 3 apprenticeship:
If you choose the Level 3 apprenticeship with CertHE you will attend the University Centre Leeds on a day release basis for two years to complete the qualification.
If you choose the Level 3 apprenticeship without a qualification your assessor will ensure to provide online learning materials to support you while gaining the knowledge component of this standard. You will still have one day per week dedicated to your training, for two years.
Upon successful completion of this apprenticeship, you could go on to complete the Level 6 Degree Scientist apprenticeship, or continue employment in your current field.
Job opportunities this apprenticeship may open include:
