Innospec’s launched its new Trainee Lab Technician program in 2017 to encourage young people to consider a career in chemistry and provides a sustainable source of in-house trained and qualified employees for the Innospec R&T Group.
The program was initiated by the Corporate R&T Center at Ellesmere Port, UK and supports trainees to work towards a BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND) in Applied Chemistry at a local college on a day-release basis.
The program has three initial trainees, all of whom are allocated an experienced mentor and receive practical training.
Maddy Dinsdale, one of the trainees, talked about the benefits of the program. “From day one, I was classed as a member of the team and given direct responsibility. I felt valued and trusted as an employee in the analytical department and that the work I was carrying out was beneficial and important to the company. I found that working in real labs, in a commercial environment, has enhanced my passion to learn and develop.”
Another trainee, Robyn Swift, strongly recommends others to apply: “Through the apprenticeship scheme, I have been able to gain practical experience that has enhanced my career development and has given me an insight to many different areas of R&D. My apprenticeship has been an amazing opportunity and I would strongly recommend other students to apply.”
Once the trainees have completed their HND qualification, they will be further supported through a chemistry degree course at a local university. At the end of the program, the trainees will have a chemistry degree and five years’ practical work experience in an analytical laboratory. Plans are in place to recruit a further three trainees in 2018.
