Junior Technician Review
at Charles River
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Science
Little Chesterford
Review Submitted: May 2023
Overall Rating
3.2 /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!
3/5
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Overview of Role
3/5
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Skills Development
3.2/5
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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:
3/5
General support of others in a lab environment, where I started in compound management. This involves first providing scientists with specific assay plates which must be prepared by machinery operated by people in my department. Now progressing onto using some of the machinery myself which has been fun to learn
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
The day to day work starts out fairly basic as working in a lab environment needs a strong basis in health and safety however is starting to pick up to a certain extent of recent. The study section is completely self lead with almost all on demand learning to manage.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
Adjusting to a full working environment being my first job was a learning cure after coming back from a long summer however as a result my time management has improved as well as improving my collaborative skills as my department centers around separate roles each week to share the work.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
My training structure within the lab has had a steady progression with starting in more basic roles and responsibilities and building up to greater complexity, with my staff members being the trainers which makes me feel comfortable to ask any questions necessary. The uni study is also split reasonably well
How much support do you receive from your employer?
3/5
I haven't required a large amount of support throughout from the greater employer as a majority of my small issues have been solved or at least remedied by staff members either face to face or through online communication. There appears to be the facilities in place if needing support.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
I have semi regular meetings with a representative of the university of Kent a few times a year to cover any questions I may have as well as being available on email for any more immediate queries, which are usually responded to fairly quickly as helpfully whenever I've found necessary
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
2/5
Currently my qualification doesn't draw huge parallels to my work due to the department I have initially been placed in being far more technical in nature than directly scientific. However I am only a year in so there is space for my job role to move deeper into science.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
There are frequent networking events within lunchtimes which includes business lunches where staff can get together and speak to new people, as well as extra-curricular talks usually online but also occasionally face to face. There is often at least one extra curricular opportunity per week which helps with increasing morale.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Charles River to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Charles river is a large company that as mentioned provides good extra curricular enrichment as well as company benefits taken via salary sacrifice that are worth the value of the cost they incur. Furthermore there are clear pathways for progression in my job role laid out in a legible format.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Charles River?
Do some background research into the company to understand the greater scientific process and understand how your role will fit into the overall business process as a whole. There are an infinite possibility of different roles in the company each with a contribution to make to the running of science.
