Laboratory & Science Technician

Laboratory and science technicians cover a broad range of occupational roles from those who support scientists and engineers in research and development work to those who provide quality assurance or analytical science services. They can also be found in schools, colleges and universities supporting teachers of science and technical learning.

The contribution that good laboratory and science technicians could make to science companies operating in the United Kingdom is being hampered by the scarcity of people with the necessary practical and theoretical skills to be effective. Over the years employers have developed an increasing reliance on university graduates to fill these technician roles; this has been recognised as being neither cost effective nor sustainable.

Aims and objectives of this framework (England)

The aim of this framework is to attract, retain and develop apprentices who wish to become laboratory technicians at Intermediate Level 2 and Advanced Level 3, more specifically:

·        encourage the participation of non-graduates in laboratory and science technician job roles

·        to contribute towards meeting the recruitment and retention issues faced by the sectors employers

·        to provide a range of Laboratory and Science Technician pathways and job functions suitable for employers' requirements

·        increase the technical capability of laboratory and science technicians in general

·        increase retention among laboratory technicians and associated groups

·        improve productivity and profitability (GVA – Gross Value Added per employee)

·        increase the overall level of apprenticeship participation in the science sector

·        help maintain diversity within the workforce

Pathways for this framework at intermediate level 2

·        Pathway 1: Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities (Education Science)

·        Pathway 2: Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities (Industrial Science)

·        Pathway 3: Laboratory Science (Compound Analysis)

·        Pathway 4: Laboratory Science (Clinical Analysis)

Pathways for this framework at advanced level 3

·        Pathway 1: Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities - (Education Science)

·        Pathway 2: Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities (Industrial Science)

·        Pathway 3: Laboratory Science - Analytical & Process Science

Why this framework came about

In consultation with UK science employers Semta has (on behalf of other interested Sector Skills Councils [SSCs] such as Cogent) scoped, designed and developed new suites of National Occupational Standards and related qualifications for technicians where there is a strong emerging market from employers.

This framework has been written as a shared framework between Semta who look after science, engineering and manufacturing and Cogent who cover chemicals, pharmaceuticals, nuclear, oil, gas, petroleum and polymer industries. It builds on Cogent and Semta's previous joint framework for laboratory technicians and has been written in response to significant interest by employers in the use of non-graduate technicians in these support roles. The framework is designed for laboratory and science technicians who carry out both routine and one-off laboratory testing and perform a variety of technical support functions to help scientists, technologists and others with their work. It is also for technicians who help teachers/lecturers in the delivery of science education.

The specific nature of each laboratory and science technician job role will vary according to the needs of the employer, but apprentices could work in the following areas: research and development, scientific analysis and testing or education and industry. Technicians are employed in a wide range of scientific fields that impact almost every aspect of our lives. They could be involved in helping to diagnose disease by supporting medical specialists in a hospital or health clinic environment or checking products in the food, drink or pharmaceutical industries. They are frequently called upon to set up equipment and experiments that support teachers and lecturers who teach biology, chemistry, physics and other scientific subjects.

The framework is designed to meet the needs of a broad range of employers and industries where laboratory and science technicians’ roles are needed. The following characteristics are anticipated (2010-2016):

·        Increase of 15,000 people employed in the sector (1.3% average growth rates per annum)

·        Net requirement for 50,000 people to cover employment growth and retirements within the sector

·        Estimated net requirement of 9,300 associated professionals (technicians)

·        Cogent research on the future of skills in the Life Science and Pharmaceuticals sectors (December 2009) found that the most critical and hard-to-fill occupations are those of a scientific and technical variety

·        The industry absorbs 460 scientific graduates each year – mainly chemical and biological sciences, this reducing supply needs to be targeted at high level roles

·        45% of graduates are in occupations for which they are over-qualified, Semta research suggests many of these are working in technician roles

The HEaTED (Higher Education and Technicians Education & Development) project found that there will be a significant demand for new laboratory and science technicians. These technician support roles are vital to schools, FE and HE teaching and learning in the UK. The demand for these new technicians is likely to number in the thousands over the next five to ten years.

Other sectors that are likely to benefit from this framework include:

·        Chemicals

·        Petro-chemicals

·        Public and private health care

·        Animal and marine science

·        Nuclear

·        Pharmaceuticals

·        Waste disposal

·        Mining, quarrying and extractives

·        Building and construction support services

·        Ecological/environmental science

·        Metallurgy science

·        Food science and hygiene

·        Agriculture science

The framework provides employers and young people the opportunity to gain the skills and experience that are needed for a job as a laboratory technician or science technician role. It also enables/contributes to career progression including access to additional Further or Higher Education programmes/qualifications. For employers, the framework will provide a cost-effective process for increasing and sustaining the overall numbers of laboratory technicians.