LABORATORY SCIENTIST DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP mmu.ac.uk/study/apprenticeships

CONTENTS 2,000 DEGREE 4 About the programme APPRENTICES 6 From our employers’ points of view On 13 programmes 8 A supportive environment 10 Programme delivery and structure AWARD-WINNING 12 Programme units TOP UNIVERSITY 14 Application information DEGREE IN THE UK FOR DEGREE APPRENTICESHIPS

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Manchester Metropolitan University is one FINALIST of the most popular universities in the UK, currently educating over 34,000 students. BEST UNIVERSITY The University takes its responsibility TRAINING PROVIDER for creating work-ready graduates very School Leaver Awards 2020 seriously and maintains close industry and business links.

Our Degree Apprenticeships are practice- focused. They equip our apprentices with 25+ the skills to ensure they are ready to take on the industrial challenges of tomorrow APPRENTICES and make their mark. We develop our RECOGNISED programmes in partnership with employers, at regional and national awards to meet the needs of industry and individuals.

As pioneers of degree apprenticeships, we have become industry leaders, allowing 96% us to build unrivalled partnerships with 1ST OR 2.1 some of the UK’s largest employers and innovative small and medium-sized DEGREES IN 2020 enterprises (SMEs). 400+ EMPLOYERS

RATED OUTSTANDING by OFSTED 2018 3 ABOUT THE PROGRAMME Laboratory Science Degree Apprenticeship

This established industry-driven and government-supported programme has been developed to address a skills shortage. The programme produces graduate employees through an innovative work-based approach.

CO-DEVELOPED WITH FEATURES AND BENEFITS INDUSTRY + Both existing staff and new employees This programme combines and embeds will develop skills and knowledge in business improvement, scientific knowledge providing excellent clinical service. and technical skills that are highly valued + Attract enthusiastic and talented within the workplace. It has been developed students/employees in this area of skills in conjunction with industry. Participants shortage. will develop as confident and capable science professionals in their organisation by + Assessments are tailored around the job integrating academic learning and practical role of the apprentice. on-the-job training. + Utilise targeted government funding and incentives to retain and prepare staff for a significant future within your THE QUALIFICATION organisation. Upon successful completion of the programme, participants will achieve a BSc WHO IS THE PROGRAMME FOR? (Hons) Chemical Science Degree. Apprentices CORE SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE + Lead continuous performance will be able to apply for Registered Scientist This programme is suitable for those looking improvement within the scientific (RSci) status – one of several recognised to build a science career and who are AND BEHAVIOURS environment. professional status levels from the Royal employed in the chemical, pharmaceutical, On successful completion of the + Knowledge of data analysis tools and Society of Chemistry. materials, food and drink, utility, healthcare, Apprenticeship, students will have statistical techniques for effective aerospace and automotive industries. demonstrated the full range of knowledge, evaluation of results. skills and behaviours defined by the The Laboratory Scientist Degree standard. These include: + Ability to work independently with Apprenticeship has a strong professional and minimal supervision and manage time practical focus, designed to help apprentices + Knowledge of scientific principles and effectively. move into roles such as: theories. + Communicate effectively to a scientific + Scientific team leader + Knowledge of chemical laboratory and non-scientific audience. techniques and skills in carrying out + Technologist scientific experimentation. + Demonstrate reliability, integrity and respect for confidentiality. + Laboratory analyst + Knowledge of principles of project + Laboratory manager management. + Senior scientist + Demonstrated ability to comply with and promote safe working and quality + Process operations manager systems within the workplace.

4 5 FROM OUR EMPLOYERS’ POINT OF VIEW

DEVELOPING NSG STAFF NSG research and development has a long history of working with Manchester Met There has been a long history of employee for part-time degree programme provision. development within research and development The University is one of the major providers at NSG, including apprentice development of degree apprenticeships and given our through BTEC, HNC and part-time degree satisfaction with previous programmes it programmes. The introduction of degree seemed only natural to continue our working apprenticeships was considered a win-win relationship. for the business and employees. Degree apprenticeship programmes are funded by the apprenticeship levy at no cost to the A RECOMMENDATION individual. The business makes use of their Manchester Met provides a professional levy contributions while benefitting from and supportive environment for both a better trained and more well-informed the apprentice and the employer. The “Apprentices add massive value and make an workforce. Apprenticeship is well managed, with good online support. Regular feedback sessions with amazing contribution. They come through the LINKING WORK AND STUDY the apprentice, line manager and Manchester Met Skills Coach ensures targets for system which means they get to know the The study the apprentices have undertaken development areas are clearly communicated company procedures inside-out. When they start at the University has, thus far, reinforced and recorded. work practices here at NSG. They have been their own projects they are highly efficient and provided with a much deeper understanding Stuart Jamieson of work place regulation and its importance benefit the company greatly.” Team Leader for Chemical Analysis and with regard to health, safety, quality and Spectroscopy at NSG, overseeing their environmental issues. Laboratory Scientist degree apprentices The Carbogen-Amcis Ltd Site Director began FEELING THE BENEFITS Our current apprentice, Eleanor (pictured his career as an apprentice and so really below) joined NSG straight from sixth believes in the programme. We started Apprentices work on projects from the form college. After a couple of years work with two level 3 apprentices. We saw that beginning, learning processes and adding experience, we were looking to develop her they had potential and academic ability, so value to the project. As apprentices progress theoretical knowledge to allow her to progress looked for a higher-level apprenticeship to and learn systems, they are given more and further within the organisation. help them progress. This is when we found more responsibility. For example, one second the Manchester Met Laboratory Scientist year apprentice has already progressed from programme. It looked to be a very well- being a QC Apprentice to a full QC Chemist structured programme and provided the best with the option to move on to a Development support to the apprentices. We have recruited Analyst role. She is now given projects of her apprentices to this programme ever since. own to run.

My personal experience of Manchester Met G Elena Daia (not pictured) has been exceptionally good. For example, Team Leader at Carbogen-Amcis, overseeing at the Employer Advisory Board, employers their Laboratory Scientist degree apprentices put across their views of what they would like to see in the programme and by the next meeting everything had been captured in the programme revisions. The programme takes account of what is needed in the industry and makes it applicable to the full range of employers.

Eleanor McTeigue Laboratory Scientist degree apprentice, NSG

6 7 CREATING A EMPLOYERS, LINE MANAGERS + Working in partnership to tailor content SUPPORTIVE AND MENTORS and delivery; + Sending regular reports of apprentice APPRENTICESHIPS TEAM progress. ENVIRONMENT SUPPORT PROGRESS REVIEWS For apprentices and employers The Manchester Met Apprenticeships Team is available to support employers throughout Line managers and mentors are supported the apprenticeships process, including: through regular progress reviews to set, monitor and evaluate objectives and targets. + Holding meetings with staff and managers to understand operational challenges and In order to create an environment where apprentices will be training needs; able to achieve successful outcomes, both academically and + A dedicated account manager, providing a single point of contact with the University; within their organisations, the University has put in place a wide range of support.

APPRENTICES CUTTING-EDGE FACILITIES The Laboratory Scientist Degree DEDICATED SKILLS COACH Apprenticeship is delivered by the A dedicated Skills Coach will conduct termly Department of Natural Sciences in the reviews with the apprentice and employer, Faculty of Science and Engineering. It is advise on University regulations and a research-rich academic community with procedures, and provide pastoral support. a well-established reputation in biology, chemistry, geography and environmental science. The department works with FUNCTIONAL SKILLS research institutions, industry partners, national organisations and NGOs worldwide Provision of Functional Skills if required. to address the challenges posed by environmental, socio-economic, cultural PERSONAL LEARNING PLAN and political change, as well as health and advanced materials. Where additional learning support requirements are identified, they will be met through a Personal Learning Plan. UNIVERSITY LIBRARY The main University Library is located on the UNIVERSITY SERVICES All Saints Campus and is open 24/7 during the academic year.* Full access to University services – including disability services, wellbeing, the library, IT The Library provides access to a wide range services and sports facilities. of books, texts, journals, and business information and statistics. It also runs a number of workshops for mature students on ONLINE STUDY ENVIRONMENT study and research skills.

Study materials can be accessed 24/7 via Many of the Library’s resources are available our online study environment, Moodle. Our online. For example, apprentices can search programme is designed to support learners the library catalogue, renew and reserve who live and work outside of the north-west. books, and download journal articles and Moodle enables apprentices to access reading research information. lists, download journal articles, contribute to online discussion groups, email tutors, listen to podcasts and submit assignments.

*Due to COVID-19, Library opening hours may change due to government restrictions.

8 9 DELIVERY AND STRUCTURE In a thriving and collaborative faculty “Apprentices are driven, ambitious individuals. This forward thinking sets them The role of an apprentice laboratory scientist involves up for coping with developing a higher level of understanding and achieving an independent approach to work. balancing finding creative solutions to new scientific problems in the workplace, with beginning a BSc degree DELIVERY OFF-THE-JOB TRAINING Laboratory scientists are expected to be able Apprenticeship funding rules include a for the first time – no mean to apply broad scientific knowledge to carry requirement that apprentices should spend feat by any measure.” out a scientific job role. They will be able to at least 20% of their usual working time on work with novel techniques and build the developing relevant skills, knowledge and capabilities to problem solve, innovate and behaviours. In practice, this rule means AstraZeneca Macclesfield started develop experimental plans. that apprentices must undertake University taking on Chemical Science tuition, online learning and assessments in Apprentices work full-time whilst studying combination with a range of other eligible Apprentices in 2014. The towards a BSc (Hons) Chemical Science activities undertaken in the workplace. programme fits well with our Early qualification over four years. These can include, but are not limited to: Talent strategy in this area, where a Students study a tutor-supported e-distance Chemical Sciences Degree is vital learning curriculum and attend residential + Developing evidence, undertaking schools. The work-based projects, negotiated reflective practice and gathering peer both for chemistry understanding with employers, offer students the feedback towards their apprenticeship. and to enhance the apprentices’ opportunity to apply their learning directly to + Shadowing or mentoring of colleagues in career prospects within a Research Since starting to work with their organisation and its business context. their organisation or another organisation. and Development environment. Manchester Met, we have found The programme is primarily taught through + Formal or informal training relevant to the their engagement to be incredibly tutor-supported online study, part-time over apprenticeship. Across the company we have strong – involving the whole range four years. benefitted hugely in being able to of employers in developing the Apprentices will attend a two-day induction bring through individuals with a structure and content of the at the University to help them get to know each other and balance undergraduate study unique skillset. In our own programme – not so easy when with working full-time. They will also attend department, apprentices in the there are such diverse industrial a week-long residential at our campus in Applied Technologies area are central Manchester once a year, in addition to partners involved. a two-day mini-residential in the first year. solving problems that we hadn’t been able to address previously due They will complete projects in their Matt Ball workplace, tackling challenges relevant to to the exiting pressures of drug Chemical Development Team Manager at their employer and applying their learning project delivery. AstraZeneca, overseeing their Laboratory directly to their organisation and its business Scientist degree apprentices context. Across the wider business, this type A University coach and a workplace of ground-breaking work has led to supervisor undertake regular progress reviews and support apprentices in their three of our apprentices being work and studies. awarded Royal Society of Chemistry Chemical Sciences Apprentice of the Year on three consecutive occasions.

10 11 PROGRAMME UNITS

YEAR 1 YEAR 2 Fundamental Physical Chemistry Fundamental Physical Chemistry + Introduction to thermodynamics and + Surface chemistry kinetics and statistical analysis of results + Rates of reaction + Thermodynamics Fundamental Inorganic Chemistry + Entropy + Structure of atoms and molecules + Bonding and periodicity Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry + Transition metals Fundamental Organic Chemistry + Solid state chemistry YEAR 3 YEAR 4 + Molecular structure + Molecular symmetry Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Advanced Physical Chemistry + Organic intermediates + Crystallography + Bioinorganic and organometallic chemistry + Advanced kinetics + Reaction mechanisms + Catalysis + Quantum chemistry Intermediate Organic Chemistry + Inorganic mechanisms + Surface science Introduction to Chemical Analysis + Carbonyl chemistry + Use of reference materials and calibration + Catalysis on surfaces + Conjugate additions Advanced Organic Chemistry + Atomic and molecular spectroscopy + Imines and enamines + Regio and sterioselectivity Advanced Instrumental Analysis + Retrosynthesis and green synthesis + Organic MS Introduction to Workplace Applied Chemistry for Industry Regulation + Advanced elemental analysis Apprentices will choose one from: Spectroscopy and Instrumental + Surface analysis + Health and safety regulation + Materials (polymers, nanoparticles and Analysis + Regulatory environment for chemical colloids, structural materials) + Separation science industry Further Topics in Chemistry + Drug Discovery (key molecules of life, drug + Spectroscopic principles + Good practice quality guidelines/ Apprentices will choose one from: targets and drug development) regulations + Structural elucidation (NMR, IR, MS) + Advanced Pharmaceutical Chemistry + Risk management and safety + Advanced Green Chemistry Communication and Research Skills Specialism Units + Drug Target Interactions (introduction to + Scientific writing Laboratory Scientist Skills 1 Apprentices will choose one from: cell biology, computational chemistry and + Library and search engines + Business environment + Pharmaceutical Chemistry assays) + Literature reviews + Laboratory techniques (Pharmacodynamics, drug synthesis and + Chemistry in Society (unintended optimisation) consequences; materials failure, pollution) + Project management Laboratory Scientist Skills 2 + Green Chemistry (Solventless reactions, + Record keeping enzymatic transformations, chemistry in Project and Personal Development + Promoting safety and quality society) Applies wide range of skills, including: + Laboratory techniques + Literature review Business Improvement + Data analysis + Continuous improvement tools + Problem solving + Process mapping + Experimental design + Problem solving + Project management

Workplace Project + Continuous improvement project applying BI tools

12 13 APPLICATION INFORMATION

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS HOW TO APPLY WORKPLACE CONSIDERATIONS The inclusion of two workplace projects provides apprentices with key opportunities Direct entry from school or college will Once an employer has confirmed that they Employers need to reflect on whether the to apply their learning to address genuine normally require three A levels (with one will support their apprentice(s) on the workplace infrastructure is sufficient to workplace challenges. Through these being Chemistry) or equivalent, equating to programme, we will issue an application fully support the apprentice in working as a projects, apprentices will evidence a wide a minimum of 104 UCAS tariff points. We pack to interested applicants. The application trainee laboratory scientist. Apprentices need range of skills and behaviours fundamental to will individually evaluate candidates who form enables us to build up a picture of to be employed in a practical, laboratory- the Laboratory Scientist role. The final year do not meet these requirements but have the candidate, their experience and the based role in order to meet the requirements project mirrors requirements of the Workplace workplace experience or have qualifications knowledge and skill areas they are looking of the apprenticeship. Synoptic Project and gives apprentices the such as BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in a to develop. We recommend that a CV is evidence needed for EPA. scientific discipline. included, with a complete work history, Apprentices will need to be supported in and that the personal statement is used to the workplace by a suitably qualified mentor We regard Apprenticeships as a true Level 2 English and Maths highlight management strengths and work who is able to assess competency in practice partnership between ourselves and the and support the apprentice to develop as a requirements achievements. employer. Apprentices will have an assigned competent laboratory scientist. Manchester Met reviewer who will work It is a condition of apprenticeship funding, with them throughout the programme to at any level, that all applicants are able EMPLOYER NEXT STEPS ensure they meet all the requirements of the to evidence GCSE English Language and EVALUATION OF Apprenticeship and prepare them for EPA. Maths passes at grade A*-C/9-4 or commit If you would like to discuss how this OCCUPATIONAL COMPETENCY to completing Functional Skills Level 2, in programme could work for your organisation, An e-portfolio system is used to capture this addition to the programme. If required, this is or if you have any further questions, please The Manchester Met Laboratory Scientist evidence and apprentices will populate this provided at no additional cost. contact our dedicated Apprenticeships Team. Degree Apprenticeship is built around the as they progress through the programme. requirements of the Laboratory Scientist E: [email protected] Standard. By completing the course, the Apprentice workplace mentors perform a T: 0161 247 3720 apprentice will meet all requirements of the key role. This is both by providing mentor apprenticeship standard and be well prepared testimonies to evidence the apprentice’s for end-point assessment (EPA), which is competence and also by ensuring that the carried out by an independent third party. apprentice role, in conjunction with the programme, provides opportunity to develop The programme contains units specifically and apply the full range of occupational focused on meeting the apprenticeship competences defined by the standard. standard. For example, the Laboratory Scientist Skills units and Business Improvement unit. These units will instil apprentices with the knowledge and opportunity for them to demonstrate the required skills through work-place tasks.

14 15 GET IN TOUCH If you think the programme could work for your organisation, please get in touch. We will be happy to provide further information or guide you through the next steps. Just contact us using the details below.

Apprenticeship Unit [email protected] 0161 247 3720 mmu.ac.uk/apprenticeships

@mmuapprentice

MMUApprenticeships

manmetuni

Degree Apprenticeships at Manchester Metropolitan University

Degree Apprenticeships at Manchester Met

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