Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship - Level 3

You must be in suitable employment to do an apprenticeship. Apprentices can be existing or new members of staff.

Employers will set their own entry. Typically, an apprentice would be expected to have already achieved 5 GCSEs including English and maths grades A*/9-C/4. Some employers will accept other relevant qualifications and experience, including Functional Skills Level 2 qualifications.

Apprentices without English and maths at Level 2 must achieve these prior to taking their End Point Assessment

This standard aligns with the following professional recognition:

The Royal Society of Biology, Royal Society of Chemistry and Institute of Physics have worked together with the Science Council to publish learning guides intended to further enhance career prospects and support the professional standards they have a duty to uphold within their Royal Charters. It is their belief that by following the learning guides, or a qualification that covers the learning outcomes they contain, an apprentice will have an enriched experience. While professional recognition by these organisations and professional body membership is not a formal requirement for practising as a Laboratory Technician, training providers, employers and apprentices may wish to have regard to this information and the opportunities that professional registration can confer when considering the design of individual apprenticeship programmes and occupational development.

Click on the Apply link on this page to start the application process if you are in or have secured suitable employment for the Apprenticeship.

For further guidance and information if you are not currently employed in a suitable role please have a look at Apprenticeship FAQs

If you are an employer and interested in any of our Apprenticeships for your staff, please email our dedicated Apprenticeship team at business@stcg.ac.uk

The course is split into a number of phases:

On-programme Training and development takes place during this part of the apprenticeship, with apprentices attending college one day a week plus assessment in the workplace. During this time, you will develop a portfolio. During their training, apprentices will develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours expected from a competent Laboratory Technician.

End Point Assessment (EPA) is the final stage that an apprentice goes through to complete their apprenticeship. The apprentice must show their learning to an independent end-point assessor and the overall grade available is distinction, pass or fail.

The apprenticeship duration is a minimum of 24 months plus EPA. One day a week at College, with a minimum four days per week employed in suitable employment.

The apprentice has to successfully achieve their End Point Assessment (EPA) which includes;

• Knowledge test - multiple choice exam paper,
• Practical test and Interview underpinned by a portfolio of evidence.