National Apprenticeship Week shines light on benefits of vocational training
Apprenticeships can help lay the foundations for long-term success for both businesses and workers. National Apprenticeship Week (6-12 February) is a celebration of the impact of these valuable vocational schemes.
There are plenty of opportunities to acquire much-needed skills in the world of chemistry. The Royal Society of Chemistry wants to support those people participating in these vocational training and employment programmes.
Apprentices in the UK and Ireland can join the Royal Society of Chemistry for free for the whole of 2023 using the code APP100. This means they can get access to discounted training courses, networking events and career support - as well as receiving guidance to apply for registered status - without paying a penny.
A whopping 572,210 workers in Britain worked towards completing their apprenticeships between August and October 2022, developing skills for life. Getting more vocationally trained talent into the workforce can help the chemical science sector tackle some of the world's biggest issues.
Apprenticeships can upskill and help retain existing employees, while also providing businesses with new skilled talent, ideas and perspectives. For individuals, it can open doors to new opportunities and kickstart their career development.
One person who has already seen the benefits of vocational work-based learning is Katty O'Brien-Quilty (pictured right). She undertook a higher apprenticeship in chemistry at the University of Greenwich while working for Thames Water as a laboratory analyst.
During her gap year, she stumbled across the option of doing an apprenticeship and has taken huge steps since then. Katty has already earned her Registered Science Technician (RSciTech) award and is now well on the way to achieving Registered Scientist (RSci) status.
"An employer would see those letters and already know what skills I have," Katty said. "I think it's so important to spread the word about them and get students to see them as an option."
The Royal Society of Chemistry also has plenty of support for individuals coming to the conclusion of their apprenticeship journey. If you want to explore our resources to help you prepare for your end-point assessment, there are guides for every level.
See what a Future in Chemistry could look like for you:
