Anna Thomlinson - Level 5 Applied Bioscience FdSc Technician Scientist / Level 6 Applied Bioscience BSc Laboratory Scientist

Name: Anna Thomlinson

Apprenticeship: Level 5 Applied Bioscience FdSc Technician Scientist / Level 6 Applied Bioscience BSc Laboratory Scientist

Employer: Autolus

·         Why did you choose to pursue an advanced therapies apprenticeship? 

I always had an interest in Chemistry and Biology through school and knew it was something I wanted to pursue once I finished school. Long term I wanted to be able to help people and make a difference in the medical sector, however I wasn’t too sure how I would fulfil this aspiration. When I discovered advance therapy apprenticeships, I knew I had found what I was looking for. Knowing that I could support the development of the advance therapy sector to help patients is so rewarding. 

·         How has ATAC supported your development? 

ATAC have been brilliant in supporting me during my Level 5 apprenticeship and now my Level 6 apprenticeship. ATAC have been great in aiding with the onboarding process to ensure a smooth transition. They provide regular meetings with a range of different companies as learning opportunities outside of my day-to-day role to help understand other sectors of ATMPs and show insight into other opportunities available once completing the course. ATAC arrange events for all the apprentices which meant I was able to meet lots of new people to discuss and share my experiences with. This really helped the university aspect of the apprenticeship as we were all able to form friendships as well as help and support one another throughout the course.

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

When I was studying for my Level 5 apprenticeship, I was involved in many projects, each with a different focus and varied tasks including areas of process improvement. My most rewarding project was the first project that I lead by myself which involved optimization of the materials management system for Production. I successfully created and implemented new processes, led a range of training sessions, whilst still being involved in daily Production activities. This really challenged me to stay organized and focused, and it gave me the opportunity to increase my skill set and extend my knowledge of project management. I have recently started my Level 6 apprenticeship so I am excited for the new opportunities and experiences that are to come with my new role.

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

If you're thinking about pursuing an apprenticeship, I’d say go for it. They are a brilliant option to further your learning and gain valuable experience working in a cutting-edge field. Start by researching the area of work you're passionate about, the course you'll be studying, and the companies you're applying to. An apprenticeship gives you the chance to learn directly from experts, gain hands-on experience, and develop practical skills that are highly valued in the industry, all while earning a qualification that sets you up for a strong start in your career. The apprenticeships are set up in a way that makes sure you get dedicated time to study to ensure you’re able to stay on track. They can be challenging at times but knowing that the work you’re doing could make a real difference in peoples’ lives makes it all worth it. Having experienced traditional university for a year prior to starting my first apprenticeship, I am confident I made the right choice swapping to an apprenticeship.  

·         There's a cohort of apprentices, how do you support each other? 

Working alongside fellow apprentices means that we are able to support one another through the challenges of university. It has really benefited me knowing that we’re doing it together and being able to work through a range of concepts collectively has helped expand our knowledge. It has also pushed us all academically to present our best work.

·         Why did you choose the apprenticeship route over university? 

I initially applied for university to study Biomedical Science even though I wasn’t sure about what I wanted to do long term. I knew I wanted to continue my education in Biology and Medicine but once I got there, I quickly discovered that it wasn’t for me. I realised that hands-on, lab-based, learning was much better for me than theoretical learning. Looking back now, I wish I had known more about the range of scientific apprenticeships available to me prior to applying for university however, I am so grateful that I found my apprenticeships and for the opportunities it has provided me with. It was the certainly the right choice for me.

·         What are your future plans?  

My future plans include completing my Level 6 apprenticeship, which will allow me to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Bioscience. I hope to continue working in the advanced therapies sector to deepen my knowledge and understanding of cancer and autoimmune disease treatments while contributing to the development of potential cures for patients.