Health & Life Sciences: Career pathways for shortage roles

Pathway to Analytical Chemist

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Analytical Chemists and Quality Assurance Analysts were identified by North East employers as a role where recruitment and retention is challenging.

The skills framework below suggests pathways employers can use to grow their own talent utilising apprenticeship and technical education provision and funding, and specialist education and training provision available in our region. Links to information on providers of this education and training are included below.*

These routes are based upon approaches already successful applied by some employers in our region. 

Essential criteria

Minimum 5 GCSEs at grade 4-9 including Maths, English and Science
Level 3 qualification (A Level or equivalent) in relevant science subject
Good teamwork, oral and written communication skills
Excellent record-keeping, time management and organisational skills.
Awareness of laboratory health and safety and the regulatory environment.

Desired criteria

BSc (Hons) in Chemistry or other relevant scientific discipline.
Previous GMP experience in a laboratory environment.
Experience of HPLC and other analytical methodologies, preferably in a pharmaceutical environment.
Experience using lab information management systems/quality systems.
Ability to critically assess and analyse data.
Flexible and able to manage changing priorities
Competent with IT systems including MS Outlook, PowerPoint, Word and Excel.

Local providers

Find local providers who can support you to train and recruit this role from entry level.

T Level – Science

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Level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship 

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Level 6 Laboratory Scientist Degree Apprenticeship

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Further relevant courses

BSc (hons) degree in Chemistry or other relevant scientific discipline.

Previous GMP Experience in a laboratory environment, experience of GMP and other analytical methodologies, experience using Lab Information Management Systems:

Useful contacts

Free support for SMEs to help develop and upskill their workforce, via the Education Development Trust.

Find support to help businesses grow and adapt their work force on the North East Growth Hub.

Find data and analysis about the North East economy on the North East Evidence Hub.

Create strong links with the next generation of employees, via North East Ambition.

* Apprenticeship provider information is based on those providers currently registered as able to deliver this apprenticeship standard on the gov.uk website. Degree and other relevant provision listed was collected through the North East LEP life sciences skills group in November 2022. For the most up to date information on education and training provision available please contact the providers directly using the details provided.