Start your journey with Fera’s Apprenticeship Programme

Overview of Apprenticeships at Fera

Since introducing the Laboratory Technician apprenticeship at level 3 in 2011, we have harnessed new talent, bringing in and progressing apprentices to help Fera develop the next generation of scientists and corporate staff. Fera works with local schools and the City of York Council Skills Team to share our Scientific carried out at Fera and attends careers events at local York schools to talk about our apprenticeships.

Current apprenticeships being run at Fera include:

Level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship (with Level 4 Biological Sciences (Cert HE)) - York College
Level 6 Laboratory Scientist
Level 6 Digital Marketing - Manchester Metropolitan University
Level 6 Data Scientist
Level 7 Research Scientist - Keele University
Level 7 Senior Leaders

Click here for further information on some of the apprenticeships offered here at Fera.

Meet our Apprentices

How will you learn at Fera?

The Fera apprenticeship programme provides 24 months of hands on laboratory experience and an opportunity to start your training in a role that delivers world-class science and supports you to develop your career in the science sector.

You will learn to apply original thinking, with a high quality, broad science skill set, making a positive impact on the businesses success and leaving well placed for future employment across the science sector.
Dedicated support and development opportunities are provided to help get optimal value from your time at Fera and help increase employability, in fact many of Fera’s apprentice graduates secure permanent positions.
Fera holds an ISO 9001 accreditation and our apprentices are trained to a high standard to uphold these values.
Working alongside world-class scientists, from whom you will gain valuable knowledge and expertise.

You will work towards our values and shared mission gaining expertise and apply this knowledge to hands on work using original thinking and ingenious techniques in a unique environment. But, at Fera, we see this as a means to accelerated progression in our company - a fast track to greater challenge, impact and responsibility.

Looking for Work Expereince?

What site facilities will you have access to?

York Biotech Campus offers sophisticated science accommodation, a top range of support services, an enviable location and opportunities to interact with world class scientists and businesses all working at the interface of government, academia and industry.

Onsite you will have access to a range of facilites which will assist in the development your learning and daily activities.

Molecular Technology Unit
Thomson Suite: one of the UK’s largest mass spectrometry facilities with over 40 different instruments.
Quarantine Glasshouses & CE rooms: extensive suite of high-containment facilities for holding non-indigenous pests and pathogens, with its own dedicated horticultural team.
Reference collections: Fera hosts internationally important reference collections including over 100,000 entomological specimens, the world’s largest collection of plant-parasitic nematodes and the NCPPB (National Collection for Plant Pathogenic Bacteria).
Bee Research Unit: maintains over 60 experimental apiaries as part of its work with Defra’s National Bee Unit and other work on bee and pollinator health.
Remote sensing: Fera has its own small fleet of UAVs (‘unmanned aerial vehicles’) with trained pilots and GIS modelling capability.
Agri-food datasets: custodians of nationally important long-term datasets including pesticide usage and disease monitoring.

Meet the Apprentices

Our apprentices below are from a range of different positions within the business, starting at the beginning and some working their way up the career chain to becoming Mangers in their departments.

Read throught their journey's below to find out who our apprentices are, their experiences on their course and at Fera.

Meet James Stubbs

Nematology Delivery Manager | Biomedical Science | Fera

James joined the Plant Protection Programme at Fera in September 2017 after his A - levels and gained a Level 3 qualification with us before securing his place in the nematology team.

"I chose this route as I felt that I was not ready for University after my A-levels. I first started at Fera doing a level 3 apprenticeship, before securing a full time position in the Nematology team. I felt prepared to continue studying when the level 6 apprenticeship programme came around."

Meet Izzy Hall

Assistant Scientist - Bee Health | Technical Leadership (Biomedical Science) | Fera

Izzy joined the Fera in September 2022 after hearing about the apprenticeship during a meeting with her line manager, who prompted her to get in touch with the organisers of courses that I was interested in.

"As I was approaching the end of my studies at the University of Edinburgh, I wanted to gain practical experience in industry, and therefore applied for what is now my current role at Fera. This was a perfect opportunity for me as it allowed me to further my academic career whilst gaining the practical experience that I was looking for."

Meet Callum Logan

Nematology Delivery Manager | Biomedical Science | Fera

Callum joined the Plant Protection Programme at Fera in September 2019 and gained a Level 4 HNC in Applied Biology, a Level 3 Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship, as well as a wealth of experience in the diagnostic teams of the PPP.

"I am now currently studying a Level 6 degree level apprenticeship in Biomedical Science at Fera, I am studying this at York St. John University which I am really enjoying. In the future I would like to get more into management and mentoring future apprentices to share my experiences with them and to help guide them through their apprenticeship."

Meet Holly Steel

Digital Marketing Apprentice | Marketing | Fera

Holly joined the marketing team at Fera in 2021 after completing a Level 3 diploma in Professional Digital Marketing. She has since been working in the team looking after Fera's social media, website and event management.

"I started to look for an apprenticeship following the decision not to go to university because I didn't feel academic learning alone was for me. This apprenticeship has allowed me to learn on the job, with people in the marketing industry to develop my career, hands on. It's the best decision I've made because not only do I now have a job in industry that I want to move into, but I am able to get real life experience and take that with me when I've completed the course."

Fera's Achievements

Fera Science Ltd. celebrates success at the York Press Business Awards

Fera Science Ltd., (Fera) won with its inaugural entry in the ‘Business Innovation of the Year’ category and went on to win the top award of Press Business of the Year 2022.

As the winning organisation in the Innovation category, Fera is proud of its Yorkshire base and its work with regional, national and global partners, continually investing and expanding its product and service offerings to not only respond to industry requirements but to also continue to support the local economy by creating high quality employment. Working with talent from within the region alongside a programme of regional community engagement and investment in our staff, apprentices and PhD students, Fera provides attractive career progression opportunities.

Click here to read more.

Winner of Larger Employer of the Year

York Apprenticeship Awards recognises the outstanding qualities, achievements, commitment and progression of both individual apprentices and their employers. Overall 35 nominations were received, for five categories, where Fera won Large Employer of the Year at the 2017 celebration.

If you enjoy learning and the appliance of practical science, Fera is the perfect place to start your career.