A new apprenticeship scheme in Wales aims to future-proof the pharmacy technician profession

A two-year apprenticeship Pre-Registration Pharmacy Technician Training Programme has been launched by Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW), giving Welsh trainee pharmacy technicians the opportunity to train across three pharmacy settings for the first time. 

More opportunity

The programme is currently being piloted at Aneurin Bevan University Health Board (ABUHB) and equips pre-registration students with multi-sector experience, leading to professional registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council, according to HEIW. Students will have the opportunity to work in hospital pharmacy, as well as primary care and community pharmacy.

Each week, trainees spend two days training in a hospital and two days in a community pharmacy, along with one study day. In their second-year, students will also complete a six-week primary care placement.

Commenting on the apprenticeship programme, Wendy Penny, head of pharmacy technician training at HEIW, said: “Supporting pharmacy technicians to train across three pharmacy sectors will lead to a more sustainable and flexible workforce who understand the patient journey across healthcare settings. This is a new and supportive model of training where trainee technicians receive regular face-to-face contact with pharmacy professionals.”

Multi-skilled workforce

The apprenticeship programme aims to provide a foundation of diverse education to further the careers of pharmacy technicians and future-proof the profession.

Christian Burridge is one of 11 trainee pharmacy technicians who have recently completed their induction at ABUHB. He commented: “Working in the hospital, in the community and in primary care, we’re going to see different things, develop three different skillsets and have a well-rounded experience. This will put us in good stead for when we finish training and want to apply for permanent positions.”

The new programme supports the Welsh Government’s ‘Train.Work.Live’ campaign, which promotes Wales as an outstanding location for pharmacy education and training.