National Apprenticeship Week

This week is National Apprenticeship Week 2023, and we’d like to give a BIG shout out to our apprentices. We have two apprentices working for AstrobiologyOU. Weronika is our Microbiology Technician Apprentice. She is working on her Level 3 Laboratory Technician apprenticeship with Tiro. Jitka is our Laboratory Technician and is working on her Level 6 Laboratory Scientist degree apprenticeship with Kent University. Weronika joined us in September 2022 and is a few months into her programme. Jitka became a full member of our team in 2020 although we have been working alongside her since she started at the OU.

What were you doing before you started your apprenticeship?

Weronika: I was in sixth form, doing my A Levels: Biology, English, Maths and Psychology. That was my life for two years and I just worked part time along side it.

Jitka: I’ve been working for the Open University since 2016, but before that I had lots of different career paths. Especially when I moved to England, I went through lots of professions - I've done lots of caring, working with children, I’ve done my NVQ in childcare, I’ve work in a hospital and in a café… So, I’ve had all sorts of jobs and there’s always something new to learn.

Have you always wanted to be a technician or work in science?

Weronika: No. I initially had an interest in psychology, and I think the only reason I hated science so much was because the way it was taught at school. It was just vastly different from how we actually, practically do it here. I thought it'd be more like industrial work because I had no experience in the lab. So, when I came here and I saw how self-guided it was, it was really eye opening. So that helped my interest, science at school… just didn't do it for me. So, if you didn’t like science at school, what made you apply for this? I knew I had an interest in biology, it was cool, it just didn't excite me in school - it felt like a memory game. Initially I applied because I wanted a backup plan in case I don't go to university. Then when I got it, I was really glad the Universe worked out how it did, plans change, but I'm really glad they did. 

Jitka: And me, no. I was supposed to be a hairdresser - I had applied for hairdressing school and was accepted but sadly, it would have included a lot of travel and I get travel sick, so I turned it down. Growing up in a small place in Europe, usually you were looking for jobs in the area where you live, you look to match your studies with the job. It used to be that everybody wanted to have a secure job that never changed unless it for any reasons had to. I actually went to Food Biochemistry College, for three and half years, because there were quite a few opportunities in that field in the area. So how did you end up doing your apprenticeship here? Well, it started a long time ago, I worked as a laboratory technician in my home country for seven years. When my country became a part of the EU, I left the job for England as I wanted to learn some English. I moved to Milton Keynes and have always liked the Open University and I often came to walk through the grounds. I applied for a position, but I wasn't accepted but I felt it would be a nice place to work. I then applied for a laboratory cleaning position because I thought once I’m in, maybe there would be a chance for me to develop my career, I will see what happens and learn more and progress more. The area I was working in started having lots of work and lots of little jobs like testing pH of soils or grinding rocks, and I kept asking if I could help out and that's how it started.

So, what attracted you to working with AstrobiologyOU?

Weronika: Honestly, I didn't know about AstrobiologyOU, because on the job advert it wasn't mentioned. It was just for a lab technician for microbiology, so when I found out that most of the research was planetary, I was very surprised.

Jitka: For me, I kind of slipped into AstrobiologyOU, because my manager changed. Ceri (AstrobiologyOU Lab Manager) took me over to her team from Ecosystems. I can't still get used to the fact that I'm working for AstrobiologyOU - it's a privilege, isn't it? 

Weronika: It is.

Jitka: When you think about it, it's amazing, but I do not know much about astrobiology but it's interesting to look at the student’s research and what they do.

Weronika: Yeah, sometimes it's a bit confusing too! 

Jitka: Yes, it is!

What has been your greatest achievement since starting your apprenticeship?

Jitka: My greatest achievement was passing 3 of my modules: cell biology, and biochemistry and microbiology. And finding people being helpful and supportive. And I still can't believe I'm doing this. What module are you working on now? One of the most challenging for me, chemistry! I do like it, but… the last time I studied chemistry was about 30 years ago, I didn't have the chance or financial support, to go to the university so I had to go to a higher college. My chemistry teacher knew which students are going to apply for these schools and, if there was chemistry, he was very hard on us. I will never forget that. He would always pick on those students to answer questions but that’s how it used to be. He was very nice but strict. 

Weronika: I would say, because I'm still very new to the field, my biggest achievement is probably just working independently. As simple as it seems, it’s nice after being here for only a few months, to be trusted to do things independently and be asked to do things for other people. 

What have you enjoyed the most so far in your apprenticeship? 

Jitka: I’m excited about the lab school which is coming in the summer. They are two or three days of practical tasks. Also, I think it’s the opportunity given for me, I have never had the opportunity and could not afford to study at university. This is a great achievement for me, it's something special to be given the opportunity. Also, meeting amazing people that support you and believe in you.

Weronika: It is the practical side but also the social side, I know it might seem like a strange thing to say, but I didn't expect it. I thought it would be industrial, the other jobs I've had haven’t been like this at all, I didn't expect everyone to be so friendly. As an apprentice coming in not knowing anything, they're willing to help you, they won't judge you, they won't think you're “less than”. It's been nice just meeting people, including those with doctorates who know what they're talking about. It's just been enjoyable to see them work and learn why they do things the way they do things. And the opportunity, of course.

What do you hope to gain from your apprenticeship? 

Jitka: I would love to gain an accredited certificate - just to prove I can. Proof of what I’ve studied and achieved for whatever happens in the future. 

Weronika: Mine is probably the same and passing my NVQ. Then seeing if I can continue my studies if there's an opportunity for me somewhere out there. I really do hope that I stay on, but if I don't, I know it's the end of the world because there's so many places out there.

What advice would you give to other people starting out in a technical apprenticeship? 

Jitka: I would definitely encourage people of my age, because apprenticeships are not only for young people. I think it's such a good opportunity. If anybody hesitates because of their age, I would just say please go for it and if I can do it you can do it!

Weronika: I would say know what to expect of yourself and who you are, learn to manage your time because it's not easy helping out practically and doing all your work on the side, and definitely manage your finances, as boring as it sounds, because that's quite an important aspect, since you're only in training. Also, take as many opportunities as you can to meet people - network with people, add people on LinkedIn. Just, talk to people…. I know it sounds weird coming from me because I don't really like talking to people, but I still make an effort. 

Jitka: I would also add that it’s a really good opportunity, but it can get really busy with full time work and studies and finding the balance can be quite challenging at times. 

Do you think this apprenticeship will help you with your plans for the future?

Weronika: Yeah, if I do decide to go either back to university or to do a degree apprenticeship, I think that it will help me because I already have the baseline knowledge. Aside from having the technical part, my coworkers have encouraged me to do the theory side more to understand what I'm doing, why I'm doing it, how everything's working and that'll help with my future. Especially if I decide to go straight into a lab tech job. I'll already kind of know what's going on, so I won't just be a strange environment. Now I've got the baseline knowledge, and I guess I'm still young, I can go to another career path but plans for future: get a degree or a nice secure job. You haven’t decided which yet? No, I'd like to keep studying, but at a point you want to just get a job, save some money, because money kind of rules the world. It's not always the most efficient thing to go back to your studies at uni and lose all those years where you could be making money, so it’s a hard decision to make.

Jitka: Yes, it definitely will. I hope that I manage to pass as it would help me to gain more confidence. Passing the apprenticeship would help me to feel more secure in my present job or if I ever decide to move away or change my job in the future, as I would like to use science in caring for animals.