What will this pathway qualify me to do? Laboratory Technician (Health Physics) where you develop appropriate procedures for radiological protection and monitoring, or Laboratory Analysis Technician (Environmental Science) where you are devising and carrying out appropriate sample testing of environmental contaminants, or Laboratory Technician (Process) where you control and test petro-chemical products, or Laboratory Technician (Standards) where you maintain, calibrate and verify equipment functionality for test purposes, or Laboratory Technician (Maintenance) where you develop maintenance protocols for instruments and medical devices, or Laboratory Researcher/Technician where you develop human and animal therapeutic and diagnostic instruments and technical devices. What qualifications will I need to complete for the framework? Competence: Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities (QCF) Knowledge: Level 3 Certificate in Laboratory Technical Skills (QCF) Transferable skills: Key Skills in Application of Number at Level 2 Key Skills in Communication at Level 2 Functional Skills in Mathematics at Level 2 Functional Skills in English at Level 2 Functional Skills in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) at Level 2 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 and mathematic principles to equip you with the understanding required to operate effectively and efficiently in the science industry at a technician level. The units selected should ideally be delivered in an educational workplace context such as an industrial laboratory. How long will it take? Depending upon your motivation and opportunities at work to practice and demonstrate competence, at least 9 months – realistically plan for 15 months. How do I get into this? You may have worked in the Science/Education sector for a period and are now considering consolidating your knowledge and experience through an apprenticeship, or you may have already completed an Intermediate Apprenticeship for Laboratory and Science Technicians (Industrial Science) or one of the three other pathways. Alternatively, you could be a school leaver who has completed your GCSE or A level 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 positions in industrial, pharmaceutical, petrochemical and nuclear companies carrying out a wide variety of technician job roles. In most cases these will be of supervisory nature carrying out routine and non-routine activities. Opportunities to undertake Further and Higher education are likely especially apprentices who complete the BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Applied Science, apprentices may have the opportunity to progress onto level 4/5 science related qualifications, which could provide access to a wide range of science related university courses. “Many universities are treating the level 3 applies science course as they would 3 science A levels”. (Source Edexcel)