Manufacturing Technician Level 3 Apprenticeship - Barnard Castle
Help us get ahead of disease together and earn while you learn. GSK Apprenticeships are full-time, early starter jobs that offer Year 13 secondary school and post-16 students the opportunity to begin their career while studying towards a qualification. This qualification is fully funded by GSK so that you can avoid having any debt.
This role is based in Barnard Castle, County Durham where we supply medicines to our patients all around the globe. We operate at an impressive scale, producing over 85 million packs of medicine in 2022. Some of our medicines include:
- HIV Prevention and Cure
- Migraine Treatment
- Cold Sore Treatment
- Hay Fever Treatment
You will be part of a 1,000-strong inclusive and diverse team working on the site. As a prospective pharmaceutical manufacturing technician, you will learn about how we create quality products in our manufacturing suites, filling, inspecting and packing them in aseptic facilities using state-of-the-art machinery.
Education Required
- English Language (not Literature) GCSE at grade 4 or above (or equivalent).
- 4 additional GCSEs, including Maths at grade 5 or above (or equivalent).
Other Requirements
- Must be able to commute to either the GSK Barnard Castle site or East Durham College.
Important Dates
- Expected Start Date: September 2025
- Application Deadline: We recommend you apply as soon as possible. This vacancy will close when we have received enough applications, so apply early to ensure consideration.
- Assessment Centre Dates: Assessment centres for shortlisted candidates will be held between February and April 2025.
Daily Responsibilities
- Work as a flexible and motivated member of the team.
- Engage with fully trained operators to learn the processes around Manufacture, Filling, Inspection, and creating innovative medicines.
- Complete Continuous Improvement, safety, and quality actions.
- Work various shift patterns to meet business operational needs and maximise learning opportunities.
- Complete an academic programme on day release.
Training and Development
This is a 3-year practical, hands-on apprenticeship where you’ll be working towards a Level 3 Manufacturing Technician qualification with a local provider. Your studies are fully funded by GSK, and through your day-to-day work, you’ll have lots of opportunities to apply your theoretical knowledge in a real-world manufacturing environment.
Perks and Benefits
- Eligibility for NUS Extra card providing discounts to many high street and online outlets.
- Access to NxtGen – a social group connecting GSK apprentices nationally and internationally.
- Access to healthcare and well-being programmes.
- Employee recognition programs to reward exceptional achievements.
- A buddy and/or mentor to offer support and guidance throughout your apprenticeship.
Starting Package
- Starting salary of £18,400 per year, increasing to £25,400 after 1 year.
- Annual bonus based on company performance.
- All costs of your apprenticeship covered by GSK.
- Kickstart a long-term and rewarding career with nationally recognised Manufacturing qualifications.
Insights from Current Apprentices
Jamie-Leigh Wood, Manufacturing Apprentice Barnard Castle: “In my role I have gained a variety of experience from across the business. I have had the opportunity to see and be involved in the process from products being introduced to site and trialed to being packed and shipped from site. It has been a challenging program that has allowed me to develop both personally and professionally.”
Robbie Walker, Barnard Castle Manufacturing Apprentice: “As a manufacturing apprentice there is a wide range of roles we take on in the production area, including packaging, inspection, filling, manufacturing and more. As a manufacturing apprentice we develop the skills and knowledge required to operate the systems and equipment that produce our pharmaceutical products. As manufacturing apprentices, we learn how to operate equipment in the manufacture and packaging of our pharmaceutical products, as well as learning about the functions that support the manufacturing side, such as engineering and scheduling. Manufacturing apprenticeship roles are hugely important as they put the apprentice hands-on in areas that are critical for getting life-saving medicine to our patients, giving us a big responsibility in a vital environment.”
Ahead together with tailored training and career development
This is a 3-year practical, hands-on apprenticeship where you’ll be working towards a level 3 Manufacturing Technician qualification with a local provider.
Your studies are fully funded by GSK, and through your day-to-day work you’ll have lots of opportunities to apply your theoretical knowledge in a real-world manufacturing environment.
Other perks include:
- Eligibility for NUS Extra card providing you with discounts to many high street and online outlets.
- Access to NxtGen – a social group where you can connect with other GSK apprentices nationally & internationally.
- Access to healthcare and well-being programmes.
- Employee recognition programs, which reward exceptional achievements.
- A buddy and/or mentor who will help you to prepare for joining GSK and who will be there to offer support and guidance throughout your apprenticeship.
What will you be doing day-to-day?
- Work as a flexible and motivated member of the team.
- Engage with fully trained operators to learn the processes around Manufacture, Filling, Inspection and how we make our innovative medicines.
- Complete Continuous Improvement, safety and quality actions.
- Work various shift patterns to ensure the operational needs of the business are met and learning opportunities are maximised.
- Complete an academic programme on day release.
What do we offer you?
- Starting salary of £18,400 per year, increasing to £25,400 after 1 year + annual bonus based on company performance.
- Kickstart a long-term and rewarding career with nationally recognised Manufacturing qualifications. Lots of our current manufacturing First Line Leaders and operations Managers started their careers as Manufacturing Technician Apprentices so this is a great starting point!
- All costs of your apprenticeship covered by GSK
About GSK
GSK is a global biopharma company with a special purpose – to unite science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together – so we can positively impact the health of billions of people and deliver stronger, more sustainable shareholder returns – as an organisation where people can thrive. Getting ahead means preventing disease as well as treating it, and we aim to impact the health of 2.5 billion people around the world in the next 10 years.
GSK Apprenticeships are a brilliant alternative to college courses or university. As one of the worldʼs leading biopharma companies, we offer an on-the-job learning experience that really stands out. Youʼll earn a salary for performing a real role – with your practical experience backed by classroom sessions
We want GSK to be a place where people feel inspired, encouraged and challenged to be the best they can be. A place where they can be themselves – feeling welcome, valued and included. Where they can keep growing and look after their wellbeing. So, if you share our ambition, join us at this exciting moment in our journey to get Ahead Together
How to apply
To apply for this role and to find out more, please click on the apply button.
Please note that applications may close before the application deadline, so apply early to avoid disappointment.
