A diverse workforce is good for the chemical sciences – and good for business. One of the key ways to diversify is to make the most of the talent found throughout our sector and secure a pipeline of technical and vocational qualification holders into your business.
Technical and vocational routes – like apprenticeships – offer access to the chemical sciences sector at all levels, ranging from intermediate skills through to graduate and post-graduate levels. At the Royal Society of Chemistry, we understand that routes into a career in the chemical sciences are as diverse as the people inspired to pursue them. That’s why we want to help everyone find interesting and rewarding jobs, while businesses benefit from the passion and enthusiasm of the next generation of chemical scientists.
Explore the information and support available
For apprentices and vocational learners
If you are working towards a work-based qualification, such as a BTEC or apprenticeship, joining the Royal Society of Chemistry offers opportunities to gain additional recognition for your experience, connect you to a worldwide community and demonstrate your passion for the chemical sciences.
As an RSC member, you’ll have access to:
- networking opportunities through our local section events, special interest groups and online forums, so you can pursue your passion and connect with like minds
- up-to-date information to help you track your professional development, including our useful Professional Development recording tool, online resources and webinars
- grants to support travel to events, outreach and research, as well as personal support and guidance
- discounts on approved training courses
- the Chemists’ Community Fund, which provides advice and financial assistance for you in difficult situations
- our wellbeing and listening service, if you’re feeling stressed, anxious or overwhelmed and need confidential support
Getting the recognition you deserve will elevate your credibility and confidence, and help you progress in your career. With a recognised professional award, you're raising the bar – not only for yourself but for your profession. It demonstrates to potential employers that you've achieved a high level of competence in your role and that you're committed to continuous professional development.
Registered Science Technician (RSciTech)
Technicians are essential to chemical science practice and teaching. Their mastery of highly specialised equipment contributes to research outputs, their chemical analyses keep us safe and healthy, and they enable students to fall in love with science and to gain the practical skills they need for a science career. RSciTech recognises an individual's highly developed technical competence and professional skills.
If you are working towards, or have already completed, a qualification or apprenticeship at level 3 or above, RSciTech could be right for you.
Registered Scientist (RSci)
Highly skilled and knowledgeable scientists underpin the advancement of the chemical sciences, and their contribution is as far-reaching as the industries and sectors they work in. RSci is a measure of excellence that recognises an individual's broad knowledge and high level practical skills.
If you are working towards, or have already completed, a qualification or apprenticeship at level 5 or above, RSci could be right for you.
Some apprenticeship standards in England have been mapped against the requirements for RSciTech and RSci. This means that if you have completed one of these apprenticeships within the past 2 years, you will be eligible to apply through a shortened application. Check this Science Council page to see if your apprenticeship has been mapped or get in touch for more information.
For schools and parents
If you are looking for resources to help understand the full range of pathways into a chemical science career, A Future in Chemistry is the perfect place to start.
From apprenticeships to full-time vocational or technical qualifications and degrees, there is a broad range of interesting and rewarding careers available to suit all types of learners. A Future in Chemistry provides careers information to help and inspire young people, educators and careers advisers about the wide range of routes available to study chemistry beyond school age, as well as offering useful information and resources about study and career options.
We are committed to helping learners and employers choose high quality apprenticeship programmes. Part of that is providing assurance that programmes provide the knowledge and professional competencies needed for a successful career in the chemical sciences. That’s where accreditation comes in. We accredit apprenticeships following a rigorous evaluation process that helps learners and employers make an informed and confident decision.
For training providers and colleges
We are happy to offer support for colleges, training providers and HEIs that are looking to develop an apprenticeship or other technical or vocational programme. Please get in touch to start a conversation and find out more.
We are committed to helping learners and employers choose high-quality apprenticeship programmes. Part of that is providing assurance that programmes provide the knowledge and professional competencies needed for a successful career in the chemical sciences. That’s where accreditation comes in. We accredit apprenticeships following a rigorous evaluation process that helps learners and employers make informed and confident decisions.
Accreditation is a mark of quality to help both employers and prospective learners when choosing a programme. Accredited providers can apply for funding to cover the training costs of an apprentice at a non-levy-paying company, while learners at accredited providers get support in applying for professional registration. In addition, accredited providers and their learners are invited to exclusive RSC events – including the apprentice graduation celebration – free of charge.
If you would like to find out how your programme could become accredited, please get in touch.
T-levels are a two-year programme, currently only available in England, that provides learners aged 16 to 19 with routes into technical occupations. They are a classroom-based alternative to advanced apprenticeships, designed to help students get valuable experience in the workplace, as well as offering the possibility of leading to a job in a skilled occupation. For example, the science T-level gives learners the opportunity to specialise in one of three occupational areas: Laboratory Sciences, Food Sciences or Metrology Sciences.
Alternatively, after completing a T-level, a learner may progress to a range of further study options, including apprenticeships and higher education. If you would like to find out more about how T-levels fit with your institution’s provision, please get in touch.
For employers
Apprenticeships give employers a great opportunity to recruit and develop talent in a way that suits their business and priorities – whether that’s succession planning, attracting and retaining staff, diversifying a workforce or even upskilling existing staff. Apprentices can be a brilliant addition to any company, big or small.
An apprentice will spend most of their time working while being trained and supported by a mentor, but will also attend a college, university or other training provider to receive off-the-job training. Typically, this includes the underpinning theory needed for their job role, practical experience supported by theory, and other professional or transferable skills, such as report writing, literature searching or experimental design.
Training providers support you along every step of your apprenticeship journey; helping to recruit the right apprentice for your business, tailor off-the-job training, guide you through the funding landscape and provide advice on how to mentor an apprentice.
Often while they are receiving their off-the-job training, an apprentice will be working towards their qualification. The level of qualification varies, depending on the type of apprenticeship and the occupation it leads into, but they can range from school-leaver through to degree-level, covering occupations such as laboratory technician, scientist and research scientist.
Funding for the off-the-job training an apprentice receives is usually covered, at least in part, by government. However, as an apprentice is first and foremostly an employee, the company they work for is responsible for paying their salary and must pay at least the minimum or living wage, dependent on the age of the apprentice.
To find out more about the benefits of hiring an apprentice, watch the webinar below which was recorded as part of our activities for National Apprenticeship Week 2023.
Apprenticeships are available in all four nations of the UK, but the precise way that they work varies by nation, so please use the links below to find out more.
Accreditation
The RSC accredits apprenticeships that meet the standards for the professional awards of RSciTech or RSci (depending on the level of the apprenticeship). Accreditation is a quality mark that guarantees an apprenticeship programme is of a high standard and meets the needs of all stakeholders, including employers.
Explore the list of accredited training providers
If you are wondering whether an apprenticeship could be right for your company, but don’t know where to start, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to talk through your requirements and options.
T-levels are a two-year qualification equivalent to three A-levels that provide learners aged 16 to 19 with routes into technical occupations. Currently only available in England, they offer a classroom-based alternative to advanced apprenticeships but are also designed to help students get valuable experience in the workplace. T-levels offer the possibility of further study or a job in a skilled occupation – for example, the Science T-Level gives learners the opportunity to specialise in one of three occupational areas: Laboratory Sciences, Food Sciences or Metrology Sciences.
A crucial part of the T-level qualification is the 45-day work placement that the learner must undertake. Offering a placement at your company is a great way to engage with local talent and develop your relationship with schools or colleges in your area. There is financial support available from the UK government’s Employer Support Fund to help towards covering costs incurred in hosting a placement. Placements can be tailored to make them work for you, so please talk to your local T-level providers to see what they can offer.
Technical qualifications, which are available at different levels, can be studied full-time or part-time as part of an apprenticeship or an evening course. They are usually delivered by colleges, universities and sixth forms and are designed with the help of employers, meaning learners develop the skills and knowledge employers are looking for. They are an excellent choice for developing the intermediate-level, highly specialised skills required for technical and higher technical roles, and can also be used to access further study or higher education.
Qualifications in this category are available at RQF levels 3 (equivalent to A-level), 4 and 5 (equivalent to a foundation degree) and include:
BTECs and Cambridge Technicals
These applied science qualifications can be studied at level 3 (6 in Scotland) and take two years to complete. They are usually offered by sixth forms or colleges, and have a range of optional modules to tailor provision to the needs of learners and local employers. These qualifications include a mix of theoretical learning and hands-on, practical experience.
Higher National Certificates (HNCs) and Higher National Diplomas (HNDs)
These are work-related qualifications designed alongside industry partners to ensure students gain the skills and knowledge that employers are looking for. Chemistry-related courses include analytical science, applied science and chemical science for industry. These qualifications are usually offered by colleges or other training providers. An HNC is level 4 (level 7 in Scotland) and will take one year to complete if studied full-time, while an HND is a level 5 qualification (level 8 in Scotland) and will take two years to complete if studied full-time.
Foundation degrees
Foundation degrees are work-based qualifications that are offered by universities and other higher education establishments in areas such as applied chemistry, analytical chemistry, forensic science and pharmaceutical science. They are level 5 qualifications (level 8 in Scotland) that take two years to complete if studied full-time (some can be studied part-time). Foundation degrees are sometimes available through an apprenticeship.
Policy and opinion
The Royal Society of Chemistry works with the UK government and other stakeholders to support the development of a technical and vocational education system that works for the chemical sciences sector.
If you would like to find out more information, please get in touch.
To learn more about our goals and opinions as an organisation, visit our Policy & perspectives page.
Get in touch
If you have any questions about apprentices or apprenticeships, whether you’re an employer or an apprentice, please complete this form and we’ll be in touch.