What kind of apprenticeship are you doing and why did you want to do it?

I am a Laboratory Science apprentice working towards my Applied Bioscience BSc in the High-Throughput Biology team at Vertex Pharmaceuticals. I spend most of my time hands-on in the lab, running experiments with cells and proteins, and I get to work with lots of exciting automation robotics. I wanted to do a science apprenticeship to gain practical experience in a real work environment while studying for a degree, with other benefits including the opportunity to create professional connections early in my career and remain debt-free.

How can people at your stage in your career benefit from an apprenticeship?

Before starting my apprenticeship, I had never even been inside a lab. Over the three years of my apprenticeship so far, I have developed the skills required to rigorously ask and answer scientific questions, approach professional interactions, and independently take responsibility for additional roles including as a manager. Although apprenticeships require a steep learning curve, the speed, quality and depth of learning they offer is unmatched. Although I am at the very beginning of my career, I have met people at all levels of experience who have benefitted from starting an apprenticeship.

How has Vertex supported you through your apprenticeship?

My team at Vertex have always encouraged me to push outside my comfort zone, whether through presenting, tackling challenging lab questions or taking on activities such as managing a research project for two interns last summer. These experiences have helped me build a broad set of skills such as scientific reasoning, communication and management.

What support has Cogent Skills given you?

Cogent Skills gives every apprentice a dedicated representative, a point of contact between the university and employer, which is extremely helpful when there are questions on any part of the apprenticeship. I regularly meet Paul, my representative, to review my progress. Paul is a friendly face who is always accessible, whether on-site each fortnight or via email, and having that support has been really valuable.

What does winning RSB Apprentice of the Year mean to you?

I’m really proud of how much I have achieved in the past three years, from contributing to workplace projects to volunteering for apprentice outreach and helping drive sustainability initiatives. It’s amazing to have this recognition, not just for my personal growth but also as a platform for promoting apprenticeships to a wider audience. My apprenticeship has been a transformative experience, both personally and professionally, and I hope more people will discover the incredible opportunities they offer.

What’s next in your career journey?

I’m excited to continue working on my research project in which I am developing an existing assay into a high-throughput screen to identify potential new drugs. I'll graduate from university this summer, and I will sit my apprenticeship assessment in the autumn. I’m looking forward to pursuing further education and experiencing other areas of pharmaceutical bioscience.