32 www.preston.ac.uk SCIENCE A science apprenticeship can take you into all sorts of fascinating careers. There are over 1.2 million people employed in primary science based roles in the UK, working in bio-sciences, chemical sciences and physical sciences. The biotechnology industry is made up largely of small to medium sized enterprises (SMEs), and has become huge in recent years, and is still expanding rapidly. A laboratory technician may carry out both routine and one-off laboratory testing and perform a variety of technical support functions across the organisation. This allows scientists to concentrate on, and perform, the more complex analytical processes in the laboratory. In any context working safety and ethically is paramount and many companies operate under highly regulated conditions because of the need to control the quality and safety of products, for example, medicines, food and drink. Laboratory technicians are expected to work both individually and as part of a laboratory team. • Laboratory Technician L3 • Technician Scientist L5
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy NTAwNzk=