Georgia Wignall

Completing a Laboratory Scientist (Chemical Science) Degree Apprenticeship with AstraZeneca has enabled me to gain invaluable experience working in the lab with some of the most knowledgeable scientists. The development I have made in my knowledge of synthetic organic chemistry has allowed me to contribute to complex drug molecule projects within the first two years of my apprenticeship. Undertaking my degree apprenticeship at Manchester Met compliments my development and helps me to further my career at AstraZeneca.

William Ashworth

I joined the Laboratory Scientist (Chemical Science) Degree Apprenticeship straight after my A-levels. I had good grades and my university offers in place but I was never sure that going to university was the right thing for me. I came across a few apprenticeships and this was the one that stood out to me as the best of both worlds – continuing my education and qualifications while working and gaining real-world experience. I found the Laboratory Scientist Degree Apprenticeship and applied for a job at AstraZeneca.

Before I applied, I didn’t know exactly what role in AstraZeneca I would be applying for, and I didn’t know what working in Process Safety would entail – which is the role I was hired for. I hadn’t had any exposure to this area in my A-levels, and as it’s a very niche role and I would have had little to no exposure to it on a full-time university course either. This shows one of the benefits of apprenticeships: exposing students to real jobs that they wouldn’t get through the traditional route, allowing them to specialise in an area from an earlier age.

Several of the assignments of the course were tailored for industry, ensuring we were exposed to many different aspects of a laboratory scientists’ role, and many allowed me to complete larger projects within my team and contribute to the development of methodologies and analysis of experiments.

The skills coaches at Manchester Met were very helpful throughout the process, helping to ensure both my university studies and workplace goals were aligned and providing further support whenever necessary.

I am now working at AstraZeneca full time having completed by Apprenticeship, gaining a First Class BSc(Hons) Degree, and will continue learning in my Process Safety role to progress within the company.

In 2019, Will was named Chemical Science Apprentice of the Year by the Royal Society of Chemistry.