“A new challenge, and no student debt.”

Immanual is a science industry process and plant engineer apprentice with Oxford Biomedica.

Why did you choose to pursue an advanced therapies apprenticeship?

My decision to apply for an advanced therapies apprenticeship was entirely based on the benefits of doing an apprenticeship – practical work experience, a new challenge and no student debt.

How has ATAC supported your development?

ATAC consistently holds Lunch & Learns featuring various leaders from the bioprocessing industry. They’ve also previously held virtual reality GMP (good manufacturing practice) training sessions and have been involved in overseeing external site visits to other pharmaceutical companies for apprentices.

What has been the most rewarding or interesting project that you have been involved in and why?

Smoke studies, specifically room smoke studies, are amongst the more interesting projects I’ve been involved in due to how involved the method is and the exposure to the detail that is required when qualifying a room. Facility smoke studies involve introducing smoke into a facility to determine how equipment and objects affect airflow in the facility.

In the future I hope to be more involved in CVS (computer system validation) projects as the industry moves to involve more computerised systems in its processes.

What would you say to someone who is thinking of pursuing an apprenticeship in advanced therapies?

As mentioned before, apprenticeships provide practical work experience, not just in the practical methods and techniques you learn in the industry but soft skills such as people management and communication skills.

Advanced therapies have good growth potential so pursuing an apprenticeship in this industry allows you to get in relatively early, providing great opportunity for career growth early on.

Oxford Biomedica has a large cohort of apprentices; how do you support each other?

In the past we’ve held events where apprentices from different departments have put together presentations detailing their roles in their respective departments and what courses they’re doing. We also have a Microsoft Teams’ group for apprentices company wide, that acts as a forum for any questions or concerns that we might have.

Why did you choose the apprenticeship route over university?

The biggest factor without a doubt was that I’d be earning a degree without any student debt. Furthermore, you’re gaining practical work experience setting yourself apart early on in terms of employability, not mention that fact that you’re earning a wage.

What are your career aspirations? Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I’m not entirely sure about where I see myself in 5 years as I’m still trying to figure things out but I’m confident that the apprenticeship is helping to prepare for every eventuality by challenging me to learn about myself so that over the next 5 years I can make well informed decisions and put myself in the best position possible. Right now, I’m staying on the course and continuing to develop in my role in validation while continuing my studies in chemical engineering, in the hope that both will allow me to be a valuable contributing member of a team wherever I may find myself, preferably I’ll be in a role that maximises my experience in validation and my knowledge from the degree.

To find out more about ATAC apprenticeships, visit advancedtherapiesapprenticeships.co.uk or email apprenticeshipsinfo@ct.catapult.org.uk.