s the recruitment cess involve?

www.gsk.com/apprenticeships
Why a GSK
apprenticeship?

“My engineering apprenticeship has given me
the boost to further my engineering career and
education in the future.” Alastair, Maintenance electrician

Who are we?
GSK is a FTSE 100 company and one of the largest science-led healthcare
companies in the world. We produce around four billion packs of medicines each
year, which are marketed in more than 150 countries. Our products are used to
treat major diseases such as asthma, cancer, diabetes and infections. GSK also
produces a range of consumer products – you may be familiar with many of
them such as Lucozade, Sensodyne, Aquafresh toothpaste and Ribena.
In short, we are dedicated to helping millions of people around the world to
do more, feel better and live longer.
Our apprenticeships give school and college leavers a
genuine alternative to going to university – a great chance
to earn while you learn. The apprenticeships are based at
our manufacturing and Research & Development (R&D)
sites, as well as at our west London head office, and cover
a range of functions from engineering to IT, laboratory
analysts to artwork & design.
If you are interested in making a difference to peoples’
lives while improving your own prospects, then a GSK
apprenticeship could be right for you.

What is a GSK
apprenticeship?
GSK apprenticeships offer you the chance to study towards nationally
recognised qualifications while gaining valuable, paid work experience.
Our apprentices work towards a minimum level 3 Advanced apprenticeship.
In some instances, a level 4 Higher apprenticeship may be offered,
which is equivalent to a foundation degree.
The apprenticeship is made up of a number of study
modules, usually undertaken in college, combined with
on-the-job training to give you hands-on experience of
the working environment. From early on, you will be
working in a real team to deliver genuine business
objectives. You will also complete a personal
development plan, tailored to you, and take on a
number of different roles to accelerate your progress.
Throughout the scheme, you will also receive regular
feedback and coaching, while a personal mentor will
be on hand to advise, support and help you to realise
your potential. You will be employed throughout the
scheme on an apprenticeship contract, giving you
access to valuable GSK benefits!
During the programme, there will be opportunities to
meet apprentices from other functions across the
business to take part in key skill training, share
experiences and develop a network of useful contacts.
And when you complete your apprenticeship?
You could be offered a role at GSK if you have
demonstrated the skills and behaviours we look
for in our locally grown talent.

What’s on offer?
As a GSK apprentice, you can expect a competitive
reward package, along with the opportunity to develop
new skills through experience and training in our highly
professional business environment.
Here’s a quick summary of what’s on offer in our
TotalReward (Pay and Benefits) package:
• a competitive base salary
• an annual performance-related bonus
• 26 days’ paid holiday a year plus bank holidays
• pension plan membership
• private healthcare
• other benefits including tax free plans for bikes,
health assessments and a ShareReward scheme
What are we looking for?
To become one of our apprentices, you’ll need:
• a minimum of five GCSEs or equivalent at
grade C or above (including English and Maths)
• passion for your area of interest
• an enquiring mind
• the enthusiasm to learn
For full details about apprenticeship-specific
qualifications/requirements, please visit
www.gsk.com/apprenticeships
Where do I fit in?
At GSK we have a range of apprenticeships across a
variety of disciplines and functions some of which are
featured here. For the full range on offer, please visit
our website www.gsk.com/apprenticeships
Multi-skilled engineering
Our multi-skilled engineering apprenticeship is designed
to create the engineers of the future – and some
of the best engineers we have today joined us as an
apprentice. During your apprenticeship, you will develop
practical mechanical, electrical, control and automation
skills. Depending on your site, you will spend time in
manufacturing, packaging or utilities & facilities where
you will learn to operate and maintain production
equipment, carry out routine maintenance, diagnose
and deal with breakdowns and help design, test and
commission new equipment.
IT
The world of IT is ever changing and our IT
apprenticeships provide an in-depth understanding
of the way we use technology to contribute to the
growth of the business. Gaining hands-on experience
of numerous IT departments, you will be observing the
varied day-to-day operations of different business areas
– which could be anything from IT testing to system
advancements or development work – to give you a
well-rounded skill set.
Technology is critical to our business and we need
self-motivated individuals who can solve problems,
see the bigger picture and adapt to the world around
them. An IT apprenticeship gives you the chance
to gain professional qualifications whilst working
with world-leading technologies in a fast-moving,
dynamic environment.
Artwork & design
Ever wondered who designed the artwork for a bottle
of Lucozade, a carton of Ribena or even a tube of
Aquafresh toothpaste? If so, then you might be
interested in an artwork & design apprenticeship in
PASS – our Pack Artwork Shared Service.
PASS manages artwork for our Pharmaceuticals,
Vaccines and Consumer Healthcare businesses. Within
PASS, there are a number of different roles you could
fulfil; our CAD operators for instance provide the
technical specifications and drawings for our leaflets,
as well as the cartons that contain our products and
the labels that give consumers the information they
need. The text and graphic elements, such as logos, in
the artwork file are created by the artwork operator
or graphic designer, before everything is given a final
quality assurance check by our proof readers.

Laboratory analyst
All GSK products and product enhancements start life
in a laboratory – whether that’s developing a new
treatment, improving the taste of a product like
Lucozade or testing the effects of a nutritional product
like Maximuscle. Our multi-skilled laboratory analyst
apprenticeships will equip you with the skills to tackle
a variety of scientific challenges covering histology
(the study of tissues), animal technology, investigative
preclinical toxicology and clinical chemistry.
During an R&D apprenticeship, you will learn about
animal husbandry which includes; care for the animals
in our facilities; calibration of equipment; processing
and analysis of blood and other biological samples;
and development of in-vitro testing systems.
On a manufacturing laboratory apprenticeship, you will
help ensure that our products meet strict specification
limits for content and uniformity. You will experience
everything from traditional wet chemistry techniques
used for testing raw materials, to the use of bespoke
automated equipment for the testing of finished
products. Some of your time will also be spent
working with other teams to get new products ready
for manufacturing on a large scale as we launch them
to market.
Supply chain apprentice
Making sure our products get to our patients and
customers when they need them is vital. As a supply
chain apprentice based at a manufacturing site or
in our head office, you will be involved in the
manufacturing planning process, as well as the delivery
of the finished goods. If you have well-developed
computer and organisational skills, combined with
a strong customer focus, join our dynamic supply
chain team.
What skills will I gain?
A GSK apprenticeship is not just about gaining a
vocational qualification. We see our apprenticeship
scheme as a means to develop the shapers and leaders
of our future.
So our aim will be to give you a thoroughly rounded
learning experience. As well as gaining practical levels
of experience within your chosen field, you will be
improving your presentation skills, developing your
project management skills and learning lean business
improvement techniques. There will also be the
opportunity to get involved with your local community,
helping in schools and undertaking charity work.
Find out more at www.gsk.com/apprenticeships

“I completed my engineering apprenticeship with GSK
and it set me up for a career that’s included many
project management roles through to director level.”
Mark, Site director

FAQs
Where are the placements based?
There are many opportunities available at GSK sites
across the country. To find out the nearest
apprenticeship opportunity to you, please visit
our website www.gsk.com/apprenticeships
When does the scheme start?
If you are successful, and providing you meet the
grades required by your role, you will join our
apprenticeship scheme along with the other
apprentices at the start of the academic year – usually
in August or September, depending on location.
What are my career prospects at GSK?
We are committed to developing our employees and
their careers. A GSK apprenticeship will give you a
chance to learn your trade while gaining real industry
experience. Statistics show that,
over the course of their career, people with
apprenticeships earn on average £100,000
more than those without.
(A Cost-Benefit Analysis of Apprenticeships and Other
Vocational Qualifications, University of Sheffield, 2007)
Do I have to pay anything to become an
apprentice?
No – quite the reverse. While you are a GSK apprentice,
we will pay your salary as you undertake on-the-job
training. Any additional training expenditure or fees will
be covered either by GSK or the National
Apprenticeship Service.
Do I have to pay National Insurance?
Yes. As you are over 16, you will have to pay
tax and National Insurance on your income.
How do I contact you?
If you have any questions about our apprenticeship
programmes, please contact us at gsk@gradweb.co.uk

“I have been interested in science since an early
age and chose a laboratory analyst apprenticeship
at GSK to further my learning and skills in many
areas of scientific research & development.“
Jack, Apprentice laboratory analyst

What does the recruitment
process involve?
It’s a two-way thing. We want you to find out as much about us as we want to find out about you.
Your future is important, and so is having the right information to help you decide on the path that is
right for you. That’s why our recruitment process is deliberately thorough.
Step 1
Step 3
Step 5
Find out what GSK apprenticeships
have to offer.
Are our programmes right for you? Find out by visiting
our website www.gsk.com/apprenticeships
You may be required to take an online
test, which looks at the key attributes needed
for a job at GSK. There may also be an additional
online test dependant on the apprenticeship
you are applying for.
The final stage is an on-site assessment centre
where we both get the chance to learn more about
each other through an interview, short presentation
and some team or individual exercises.
If you like what you have
seen and believe a GSK apprenticeship is
right for you, now is the time to apply.
For more detailed information on each individual programme, and how to apply, please visit
www.gsk.com/apprenticeships (You can also apply on this site.)
If you have any questions regarding the programme, you can contact us on 01635 279 808
or email gsk@gradweb.co.uk
Step 2
To start an application, you will need to register your
details. If you have already started an application, you can
log into your online account in order to complete this
or to track the progress of your application.
Step 4
If we like the look of your online application,
we will follow it up with a telephone interview
just to find out a little bit more about you.