What will this pathway qualify me to do?
Laboratory Technician (Human and Animal) where you apply therapeutic and diagnostic GLP/GCP testing, or
Medical Laboratory Assistant where you collect, store, process and prepare patient specimens.
What qualifications will I need to complete for the framework?
Competence: Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Laboratory Science (QCF)
Knowledge: Level 2 Certificate in Laboratory Technical Skills (QCF)
Transferable skills: Key Skills in Application of Number at Level 1
Key Skills in Communication at Level 1
Functional Skills in Mathematics at Level 1
Functional Skills in English at Level 1
Functional Skills in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Level 1
Employment rights and responsibilities: Level 2 Award
Personal learning and thinking skills (PLTS): Level 2 Award
These qualifications deliver essential knowledge which supports the fundamental scientific principles to equip you with the basic understanding required to operate effectively and efficiently within the industry. The units selected should be delivered in a workplace context such as a clinical laboratory (human or animal), pathology or histology analytical laboratory.
How long will it take?
Depending upon your motivation and opportunities at work to practice and demonstrate competence, at least 6 months – realistically plan for 9 months.
How do I get into this?
You may have worked in the Science sector for a period and are now considering consolidating your knowledge and experience through an apprenticeship. Alternatively, you could be a school leaver who has completed your GCSE studies or in some cases relevant vocational activity such as a Young Apprenticeship or extended work experience.
Where will an apprenticeship take me?
Progression from the pathway is harder to predict as this is the first time that an apprenticeship programme has been considered as a mainstream means of training laboratory technicians. It is likely that successful apprentices will take up laboratory technician positions in research and development, hospitals and healthcare (human and animal) carrying out a wide variety of job roles.
In some cases successful intermediate apprentices may be offered progression to an Advanced Apprenticeship specialising in compound analysis or indeed some other area of activity such as Education Science or Compound and Process Science.