Jake Barbour always knew university wasn’t the path for him. Instead, he wanted a hands-on route into a career that felt meaningful, dynamic and a little out of the ordinary. Now in the first year of a Modern Apprenticeship with GSK in Montrose, he’s found exactly that.
Apprenticeships all the way
“I always knew I wanted to go into an apprenticeship rather than down the route of uni or college. When I was in sixth year, I started looking for apprenticeship options but I wanted something out of the ordinary” explained Jake.
Growing up locally, Jake was already aware of GSK through friends and family who worked there. When he began exploring apprenticeship options during his sixth year at school, the opportunity to join one of the world’s leading healthcare companies stood out.
Once he began looking further into the business and learning more about the science behind the work, his interest deepened especially in areas like chemistry and biology, which he had enjoyed at school as he explains, “I did enjoy science subjects at school… but when I applied for GSK I started to find out more about these topics, which further grew my interest.”
From Classroom to Work
Combining his work at GSK with one day a week at Dundee and Angus College, Jake is studying towards qualifications that directly support the practical work he does on the Montrose site. Having had a largely positive experience during his time studying at Dundee and Angus College, Jake credits the Science team for much of his success: “The enrolment was made easy by the help of the staff at D&A College as well as giving me time to study for exams and giving extra help when needed.”
For Jake, the best part of his time at college has been that what he is learning in the classroom feeds directly into his understanding of the processes used at GSK, giving him the confidence to engage more deeply with the work around him.
“My time at college has helped me with my work at GSK, as it has provided me with the practical knowledge required for work – such as learning about distillations and hydrolysis, which are processes we carry out on site.”
Life at GSK
Jake’s working days start early, typically at 6:00am or 8:00am depending on the shift, but each day is a little different. Whether it’s shadowing the team on plant or using quieter moments to study, Jake is keen to get stuck in and is constantly learning: “I will first find out what activities are happening with my process and on the plant, then go from there. On quieter days I focus on studying but if we’re busy on plant I’ll go watch and help with that.”
One of the things Jake values most about his apprenticeship is the flexibility it offers. The ability to move between practical tasks on the plant and college coursework throughout his working day keeps him engaged and constantly learning.
“I enjoy learning on the job and in the classroom while also being paid to do so.”
This balance has allowed him to stay closely involved in live processes while still making dedicated time for study, something that’s helped him develop not just technical knowledge, but also valuable skills in time management, planning and self-discipline. His confidence is growing as a result.
The Balance that Builds You
Like many apprentices, the start wasn’t without its challenges. Finding the right balance between college deadlines and full-time work took time, but Jake quickly adapted and showed great resilience by introducing structure into his day.
“When first starting, getting the study and work balance was quite tricky. But to overcome this I ended up just using any free hour every day for designated study time.”
Making Progress
That consistent effort is now paying off. He’s beginning to see real progress, not just in what he’s learning, but in the contribution he’s making on site.
“Just helping keep processes on track and doing little but meaningful tasks to help out my colleagues makes me feel like I am helping while also learning.”
The apprenticeship has helped Jake grow in both confidence and capability. He’s already noticing improvements in everything from communication and organisation to scientific understanding.
“I think I have improved my confidence, organisation skills and scientific knowledge during this apprenticeship.”
Future in Science
Looking to the future, Jake’s goal is to complete his HNC and SVQ qualifications, which he sees as essential for his future career:
“I would like to continue in this field… to continue on at GSK, the HNC and SVQ qualifications help to solidify my place here.
Advice for Future Apprentices
For anyone considering a modern apprenticeship in science, Jake’s advice is simple:
“Find the balance between working on the job and studying for college early, as that will make things much less stressful for yourself.”
Jake’s apprenticeship so far has been filled with new challenges, valuable learning, and meaningful contributions. From gaining hands-on experience in a world-class healthcare environment to building confidence through college and workplace support, it’s been a journey of steady growth.
He’s developed real-world skills, built strong foundations for his future and found a role that pushes him to keep improving as Jake reflects, “I’d describe my apprenticeship as interesting, unique and rewarding.”