Process Engineer Apprentice Review
at AstraZeneca
Degree Apprenticeship
Engineering
Macclesfield
Review Submitted: February 2023
Overall Rating
4.7 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4.5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4.4/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
I work in PSR (Particle Size Reduction). Here we process API into a smaller particle size to then be made into tablets/ any form of medicine. We do this for clinical trials and experiments.
On a day to day basis this means communicating with the project team about information surrounding the drug, setting up documents and equipment for the processing of it and lab work to analyse the finished product.
On a day to day basis this means communicating with the project team about information surrounding the drug, setting up documents and equipment for the processing of it and lab work to analyse the finished product.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I extremely enjoy my programme. I enjoy working on real life projects and constantly being in exposure of projects that go through the company as this gives me the extent of what goes on into making a drug that goes into market.
I also enjoy studying along with working as it gives a change of pace and solidifies my learning from work.
I also enjoy studying along with working as it gives a change of pace and solidifies my learning from work.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Yes, I’ve built up my communication skills from interacting with various people from all levels of the company.
I’ve learnt technical skills such as building up PSR equipment and using it.
I’ve learnt lab skills and GLP (Good Lab Practice)
I’ve learnt to incorporate GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) and SHE (Safety, Health and Environment) into my way of working.
I’ve learnt technical skills such as building up PSR equipment and using it.
I’ve learnt lab skills and GLP (Good Lab Practice)
I’ve learnt to incorporate GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) and SHE (Safety, Health and Environment) into my way of working.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
Fairly well organised. There is clear understanding of when each module starts, when exams are happening and what is expected of you. There is a clear schedule of when each webinar is and the lecturers communicate if there are any changes.
However the lecturers don’t always communicate with themselves which can lead to some deadlines being very close to each other but it is manageable.
However the lecturers don’t always communicate with themselves which can lead to some deadlines being very close to each other but it is manageable.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
There is lots of support at work! You have 3 primary people you can go to for all types of support. You have your line manager, your mentor and your buddy and these people will cover basically any questions you have from work, life and uni. Then you have everyone else (people in your team for example) who can support you if you are stuck on anything work related.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
There is a forum for every module where students can ask questions they are stuck with. The lecturers are quick and usually respond within a day. The forum is particularly helpful as other students can reply to your questions and everyone can see the answers. There are many points of contact from your lecturers to your degree organisers and everyone always responds in a timely manner.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
As it is the first year there haven’t been many instances of this. However I can see the link that future modules will have on my job role. Modules such as heat and mass transfer and fluid dynamics will be useful for processing in PSR and for future secondments in other chemical engineering related areas.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
There are many extra curricular activities, especially during National Apprenticeship Week. There is an apprentice committee who put on regular social events such as in work coffee and cake mornings, apprentice lunches/dinners and apprentice nights out.
There are also company sports teams we can join. There are networking opportunities with organised lunches from senior colleagues and new joiner quizzes.
There are also company sports teams we can join. There are networking opportunities with organised lunches from senior colleagues and new joiner quizzes.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend AstraZeneca to a friend?
Yes
Why?
It is a great company - there is so much help provided and the people you work with really consider you as a part of the team and want you to succeed. You are given responsibility early on and expected to work on real life projects. The company cares about your well-being and the benefits provided are great.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to AstraZeneca?
Research into the company and their values and write down situations where you have demonstrated those values.
Be yourself as the interviewer just wants to know your personality and if you can fit into the work environment so just be natural.
Take a look at the videos on the careers website !
Be yourself as the interviewer just wants to know your personality and if you can fit into the work environment so just be natural.
Take a look at the videos on the careers website !
