Apprenticeships can help address the shortage of trained laboratory technicians by providing a cost-effective way for employers to develop skilled staff. CSRG offers apprenticeship programs that combine on-the-job training with academic courses validated by professional bodies. Their laboratory technician apprenticeship involves employers hiring apprentices on temporary contracts, assigning CSRG to provide one day of training per week, and potentially offering permanent positions upon completion of the program.

1. Develop your
business through
Apprenticeships
A guide for employers.

2. The Importance of Apprenticeships
There are currently around 6,500 companies in the UK that employ laboratory
technicians. It is anticipated that a further 15,000 employees will be taken on in the
next four years and it is also commonly accepted that there is a shortage of trained
laboratoryandsciencetechnicians,whopossessthenecessarypracticalandtheoretical
skills, to be effective at entry level.
Employers generally tend to recruit university graduates to
unsustainable. Apprenticeships have become increasingly
important to central government’s plan for the future
workforce, providing a cost effective addition to the options
available within the Science Sector.
CSRG offers a range of Apprenticeships for our customers and
across all political parties, both the standard of education
delivered and contribution offered has never been higher.
CSR Group Overview
CSR Group (CSRG) is a leading training provider for Advanced
of Biologists, Chemists and Physicists has been bringing their
knowledge and experience to meet customers’ needs since
to develop highly motivated, knowledgable and skilled
technician level staff. We are meeting these aims through
the use of bespoke and nationally accredited training
programmes in line with National Occupational Standards
and ISO Accreditation.

3. Functional
Skills
Regulation&QualityAssurance
CSRG currently works to deliver Government Apprenticeship
frameworks funded by the Skills Funding Agency via the
Department of Business, Innovation and Skills. We are therefore
regulated both by the Skills Funding Agency and OFSTED.
Science Council
National Occupational
Standards & ISO 17025 /
9001
It is important to CSRG, that the training we deliver is not only
relevant to the Sector that our partner organisations work in,
but also to the regulations their staff must adhere to. CSRG’s
training educates Apprentices with regard to International
Standards Organisation regulations and compliance, in
particular to standards 17025 and 9001.
In addition to ISO Standards we also work with National
Occupational Standards in mind.
Wherever there is an existing Professional Skill Set for a role,
CSRG will look to develop skills and personal qualities in line
with a particular NOS.
Personal
Learning &
Thinking Skills
COMPETENCE
Level 3 diploma in
Laboratory & Associated
Technical Activites
(NVQ)
Employee Rights
& Responsibilities
The Academic Programme
CSRG is a registered centre with several Awarding Bodies including OCR, Pearson Edexcel and PAAVQSet. Through us your
KNOWLEDGE
Level 3 diploma in
Applied Science
(BTEC)
CSRG have secured recognition of our Apprenticeship
programme with professional bodies such as the Royal Society
of Chemistry and the Society of Biology. The award authorised
by the science council recognises the knowledge,
experience and skills of graduated Apprentices by
bestowing Registered Science Technician (RSciTech) status
upon them.

4. The process of employing apprentices
What should I do next?
If you have found this information of
interest and wish to discuss the Laboratory
Technician Apprenticeship further, please
do not hesitate to contact us.
email: helpdesk@csr-group.co.uk
visit: www.csr-group.co.uk
Call 0121 354 2442
Step 4
The Apprentice
completes their
Apprenticeship scheme
and you are free to offer
permanent positions or
release them
Cost to the Employer
Salary - The Apprentice’s salary is set by their employer. There
is a government minimum rate of less than £4/hour, equating
to around £7,000 per annum (based on 37.5 hours/ week).
We encourage employers to incentivise their Apprentices by
offering increments in their salary as levels of contribution and
responsibility increase.
Employer contribution to training costs - If the Apprentice
is under 19 years old at the start of their Apprenticeship, the
government fully funds the training provider so there is no
additional cost. 19 to 24 year old apprentices receive partial
funding and attract an Employer Contribution for their academic
input.
Step 3
One day per week they
undergo training via
remote learning or
on-site delivery from
CSRG
Step 2
The Apprentice
undertakes basic
laboratory technician
duties.
Step 1
Your company employs
Apprentices under
your standard terms
and conditions on a
temporary contract
(12 to 18 months) and
assigns CSR Group to
train them.
CSRG is a member of the UK Register of Learning Providers. UK Provider Reference Number (UKPRN) 10034416.