South West Durham Training Apprentices Aidan and Ryan secure full-time GSK roles

Two South-West Durham Training apprentices have secured permanent roles at GSK, showcasing how apprenticeships build industry-relevant skills for pharmaceutical manufacturing careers.

South-West Durham Training (SWDT) is celebrating the outstanding success of two apprentices who have secured permanent roles at global biopharmaceutical company GSK.

Aidan Dunn, 20, and Ryan Jackson, 24, both completed their rigorous apprenticeship End Point Assessments (EPAs) at the same time, both achieving a coveted distinction grade - the highest possible mark - through studies at SWDT, part of Bishop Auckland College Group.

The pair’s success marks the beginning of promising careers at the Barnard Castle facility dedicated to creating vital medicines for patients worldwide.

Aidan, from Evenwood, and Ryan, from West Auckland, both former Staindrop Academy students, followed different pathways to reach this milestone.

Aidan began his four-year engineering apprenticeship straight after school, while Ryan, a keen motorsport enthusiast, started his three-year manufacturing apprenticeship a year later after gaining external experience.

Despite their different entry points, their time spent training on-site fostered a strong friendship. "Aidan was a different year to me, a year ahead, and we studied different programmes, but we have all worked together," said Ryan, who successfully transitioned into a full-time role as a qualified manufacturing operator in the sterile business unit.

"The college has always been really supportive, and the on-site learning has taught me so much about the pharmaceutical industry, especially working with licensed products like cancer and hepatitis treatments.”

Ryan was initially drawn to the company after family members recommended it. "I had family members that worked here, who recommended the company," he said.

"Working for GSK has been great. It pushed me out of my comfort zone - I was slightly introverted and now I have no problem speaking with people. That is what it has done for me.”

Aidan, who came straight from school, has secured a role as an engineering technician in the vials manufacture and filling department.

He finished his programme with both a distinction in his EPA and an HNC in engineering. “I want to stay at GSK, continuing to improve my skills and have a successful career progression," said Aidan, who enjoys the hands-on nature of his job, which involves maintenance and dealing with non-routine breakdowns.

"I much prefer being hands-on than doing a desk job. I have developed my technical skills, learning the theory side of college, and applying that here in a practical sense."

GSK is a science-led global healthcare company focused on uniting science, technology and talent to get ahead of disease together. The Barnard Castle site, one of GSK's largest manufacturing bases in the UK, supplies essential medicines across the globe.

Products manufactured there include treatments for serious conditions such as HIV, respiratory disease, oncology (cancer treatments) and autoimmune diseases like lupus.

Kim Sheppard, at GSK, said: “Aidan and Ryan’s success is a testament to their hard work and the strength of our partnership with South West Durham Training. We are incredibly proud. Apprenticeships are vital to building the skilled talent pipeline needed to manufacture complex, life-changing medicines here in Barnard Castle.”

And SWDT assessor Leanne Smith said: "They have both done amazingly well to achieve the distinction grades they have. Throughout their journey, they have worked their way around GSK, rotating through different departments to enhance their skills and behaviours.

“I hope their success sends out a message - I went down the apprenticeship route myself, and I know how valuable the experience can be to kickstart a career."

Both Aidan and Ryan are now looking forward to establishing themselves in their permanent roles, armed with the technical skills and professional confidence honed through their apprenticeships.