From product development to quality control: our apprentices share their experiences of their first three months with ROCOL

Developing the next generation of STEM chemists is a key part of our business strategy.

In September, we welcomed Kiera Wareing and Taylor Duckworth into the Technical department on an apprenticeship scheme, which will see them both attend the University of Bradford part time to study for a Chemistry degree while working here at ROCOL.

The first three months of their apprenticeships have seen Kiera and Taylor undertake work in a variety of departments to introduce them to different areas of the business, the equipment that will become a large part of their work, and to start developing their business and industry understanding and knowledge.

Kiera said, “It’s been a fantastic first three months and I’ve already gained a lot of experience. Aside from the usual induction activities and finding my way around, the first month was spent shadowing Sean Wright in the product development team to learn more about the role of a Development Chemist and gain experience in the lab. The second month involved spending time in Quality Control, ensuring that all the products we manufacture meet the required standards. Over the last month, I’ve been working on some really interesting projects and I can’t wait to see what I will learn in the coming months.”

Taylor added, “It’s all been really enjoyable so far, and everything I hoped it would be. Working in Quality Control has been interesting as it has given me the opportunity to really get to grips with the products and learn about a wide range of equipment. Add to that the time that I’ve spent working on product development projects, and it’s been a steep but fun learning curve.”

It’s good to see that Kiera and Taylor have been welcomed so warmly into the team. Thank you to everyone who has given their time so far to help support their development. We’re excited to see what the future holds for them at ROCOL.