Carrying out technical and scientific activity in laboratories.
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No training providers currently listed for this standard.
Learning takes place in the workplace alongside a training programme, building the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to carry out technical and scientific work in a laboratory setting. Before final assessment, the apprentice must pass a readiness check, commonly called a gateway, confirming they have met the required standard. Final assessment then verifies that the apprentice can perform competently in the role. Given the level and typical duration involved, assessment is substantial. Assessment models for many standards at this level are currently being updated, so check the standard's gov.uk page for the current specification before committing to a programme.
Gathering evidence of real laboratory and scientific work throughout the programme is essential, rather than leaving it until the approach to gateway. Apprentices should keep records of the tasks they carry out, the decisions they make, and the scientific judgements they apply. Working closely with both the employer and the training provider to track progress against the standard's knowledge, skills and behaviours will help avoid gaps emerging late in the programme, when they are harder to address.
Entry requirements are set by individual employers and training providers, so they vary. Most will expect strong science A-levels or equivalent qualifications, and some may ask for relevant lab experience. English and maths at Level 2 (GCSE grade 4 or above) are typically required before the end of the apprenticeship if not already held. Check directly with your chosen provider for their specific criteria.
The typical duration is 60 months. Throughout that time, the apprentice remains employed and applies learning directly in their lab role. Off-the-job training is built into the programme, but the exact proportion is subject to current reforms under Skills England. Check the gov.uk standard page for the most up-to-date requirements before confirming your training plan with a provider.
Before taking the end-point assessment, an apprentice must pass through a gateway, where the employer and training provider confirm the apprentice has met the required knowledge, skills, and behaviours. Assessment models for many standards are being reviewed under current reforms, so the precise format may change. The gov.uk page for standard ST0221 holds the current assessment plan and should be your first reference point.
The funding band is £27,000, which is the maximum that can be drawn from the apprenticeship levy or co-investment arrangement. Levy-paying employers (payroll above £3 million) use their digital account. Smaller employers contribute 5 per cent of training costs, with the government covering the rest. Employers with fewer than 50 staff taking on an apprentice aged 16 to 18 pay nothing. Costs are paid directly to the training provider, not as a grant to the employer.
Day-to-day work centres on the laboratory. That includes preparing samples, running experiments, recording and analysing data, maintaining equipment, and following strict quality and safety protocols. The exact tasks depend on the employer's sector, whether pharmaceutical, environmental, clinical, or food science. Apprentices work alongside qualified scientists, gradually taking on more independent technical responsibility as their competence develops.
Completing a Level 6 apprenticeship gives the apprentice a degree-level qualification, which opens routes into senior scientist or specialist roles within their organisation. Some go on to postgraduate study or professional registration with bodies such as the Royal Society of Chemistry or the Royal Society of Biology. Others move into team leadership, quality assurance, or research roles, depending on the sector they work in.
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Curated by Alex Lockey, FATP founder and editor. Last reviewed: .
Sources include the apprenticeship's official specification on apprenticeships.gov.uk, Skills England guidance, IfATE archive records, DWP funding bands, and provider data sourced directly from the public Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR). Standard reference: 221.
Some sections on this page were drafted with AI assistance from published source data and reviewed by a human editor before publication. See our editorial methodology for how we maintain this content. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.