Lab technicians play an important within the research and testing teams within both large and small life sciences businesses across the region. The research identified a shortage of candidates with the appropriate technical skills and understanding of the regulatory environment.
This shortage also extended to metrology technicians, which is nationally recognised UK skills shortage. 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.
Person specification
Essential criteria
Minimum 5 GCSEs at grade 4-9 including Maths, English, and Science Good teamwork, excellent interpersonal, oral and written communication skills Good computer skills, with the ability to graph and statistically analyse data Excellent record-keeping, time management and organisational skills Willingness to work outside normal hours when necessary
Desired criteria
BSc degree in related area MSc in relevant field Professional Registration Demonstrable lab experience in a similar environment Awareness of laboratory health and safety issues and regulatory environment Ability to optimise and apply new methods to advance the project Experience using lab information management systems/quality systems
Local providers
Find local providers who can support you to train and recruit this role from entry level.
T level – Science
Level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship
Level 6 Laboratory Scientist Degree Apprenticeship
Further relevant courses
Undergraduate degrees in Biology
Undergraduate degrees in Biomedical Sciences
- BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science, The University of Sunderland
- Biomedical Sciences (B940), Newcastle University
- Biomedical Science BSc (Hons), Teesside University
- Advanced Biomedical Science MSc, Teesside University
- Biomedical Sciences Degree – BSc (Hons) | Northumbria University, Newcastle
Undergraduate degrees in Chemistry
- F100 – Durham University
- Chemistry – F100 (ncl.ac.uk)
- Chemistry Degree – BSc (Hons) | Northumbria
- Chemistry BSc (Hons), Teesside University
- Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry – F151 (ncl.ac.uk)
Undergraduate degrees in Pharmaceuticals
Durham University
- business.gateway@durham.ac.uk
- 0191 334 6450
Newcastle University
- llahub@newcastle.ac.uk
- Business and Partnerships Contact Page – Newcastle University – Business and Partnerships – Newcastle University (ncl.ac.uk)
Northumbria University
- Degree.apprenticeship@northumbria.ac.uk
- 0191 215 6300
Sunderland University
- Enterprise and Innovation | The University of Sunderland
- (0)191 515 2000
Teesside University
- shls-enquiries@tees.ac.uk
- shlsadmissions@tees.ac.uk
Credersi Contact
- hello@credersi.com
- 0161 533 0688
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.