Laboratory and Science Technicians (England)

Framework status: Current (latest) issue

Framework details

Framework ID: FR00940
Issue number: 3
Issued: 15 May 2012

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Laboratory and Science Technicians (England)
(PDF document 5.02 MB)

Issued by
SEMTA

Contact name: David George
Telephone number: 0845 6439001
Please download the framework for email contact information.

Purpose

The contribution that good laboratory and science technicians could make to science companies operating in the United Kingdom is being hampered by the scarcity of people with the necessary practical and theoretical skills to be effective.  Over the years employers have developed an increasing reliance on university graduates to fill these technician roles; this has been recognised as being neither cost effective nor sustainable.

In consultation with UK science employers Semta has (on behalf of other interested SSCs such as Cogent) scoped, designed and developed new suites of National Occupational Standards and related qualifications for technicians where there is a strong emerging market from employers.  

This framework has been written as a shared framework between Semta who look after science, engineering and manufacturing and Cogent who cover chemicals, pharmaceuticals, nuclear, oil, gas, petroleum and polymer industries.  It builds on Cogent and Semta's previous joint framework for laboratory technicians and  has been written in response to significant interest by employers in the use of non-graduate technicians in these support roles.  The framework is designed for laboratory and science technicians who carry out both routine and one-off laboratory testing and perform a variety of technical support functions to help scientists, technologists and others with their work.   It is also for technicians who help teachers/lecturers in the delivery of science education.

The specific nature of each laboratory and science technician job role will vary according to the needs of the employer, but apprentices could work in the following areas: research and development, scientific analysis and testing or education and industry.  Technicians are employed in a wide range of scientific fields that impact almost every aspect of our lives.  They could be involved in helping to diagnose disease by supporting medical specialists in a hospital or health clinic environment or checking products in the food, drink or pharmaceutical industries.  They are frequently called upon to set up equipment and experiments that support teachers and lecturers who teach biology, chemistry, physics and other scientific subjects.

The framework is designed to meet the needs of a broad range of employers and industries where laboratory and science technicians’ roles are needed.  Some key facts about these industries are given below: 

Semta and Cogent research for the Pharmaceutical ( R&D) (SIC Code 24.4), Manufacture of Medical & Surgical equipment & orthopaedic appliances (SIC Code 33.10) and Science & Engineering R&D (SIC Code 73.10), shows there are:

  • approximately 191,000 employees and 6,500 employers across four nations (England 87%, Scotland 7%, Wales 4% & Northern Ireland 2%)

The following characteristics are anticipated (2010-2016):

  • increase of 15,000 people employed in the sector (1.3% average growth rates per annum)
  • net requirement for 50,000 people to cover employment growth and retirements within the sector
  • estimated net requirement of 9,300 associated professionals (technicians)
  • Cogent research on the future of skills in the Life Science and Pharmaceuticals sectors (December 2009) found that  the most critical and hard-to-fill occupations are those of a scientific and technical variety
  • the industry absorbs 460 scientific graduates each year – mainly chemical and biological sciences, this reducing supply needs to be targeted at high level roles
  • 45% of graduates are in occupations for which they are over-qualified, Semta research suggests many of these are working in technician roles

The HEaTED project found that there will be a significant demand for new laboratory and science technicians.  These technician support roles are vital to schools, FE and HE teaching and learning in the UK.  The demand for these new technicians is likely to number in the thousands over the next five to ten years. 

Other sectors that are likely to benefit from this framework include:

  • Chemicals
  • Petro-chemicals
  • Public and private health care
  • Animal and marine science
  • Nuclear
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Waste disposal
  • Mining, quarrying and extractives
  • Building and construction support services
  • Ecological/environmental science
  • Metallurgy science
  • Food science and hygiene
  • Agriculture science

The framework provides employers and young people the opportunity to gain the skills and experience that are needed for a job as a laboratory technician or science technician role.  It also enables/contributes to career progression including access to additional Further or Higher Education programmes/qualifications.  For employers, the framework will provide a cost-effective process for increasing and sustaining the overall numbers of laboratory technicians.
 

Download framework

Laboratory and Science Technicians (England)
(PDF document 5.02 MB)