Glasgow Clyde College HND Apprenticeships Case Study Special - Kirsty Patterson

In this case study special, we’re talking with former HND students who have completed their HND and apprenticeship at Glasgow Clyde College with Antibody Analytics and are now progressing their careers. In this case study, we meet Kirsty Patterson, Scientific Support Operative at Antibody Analytics.

What motivated you to join the HND course and to apply for the technical apprenticeship programme:

I started my journey by studying SWAP Access to Health and Biological Sciences.  I had no real idea of what I wanted to do other than the fact I enjoyed science and so, I was open to all opportunities.  I learned about the HND and apprenticeship programme through one of my lecturers on the SWAP course, and since I have started my journey later in life, I thought it would be ideal to progress my career skills at the same time as my education.  Biotechnology is a growing sector in industry, and I just couldn’t believe my luck to be presented with such an opportunity!  I knew there and then, practically right at the start of my SWAP course, that I was going to apply for the HND and apprenticeship.

What were the highlights of your studies and training at Antibody Analytics?

The highlights of studying the HND are that the course is very interesting, with a diverse range of topics covered; the practical experiments on the course are varied and a lot of fun to perform.  Training with Antibody Analytics has been a whirlwind!  I was working alone as a self-employed cleaner prior to the apprenticeship so I had to learn a lot of skills very fast.  Everyone has been so patient and supportive through my training, and I now feel that I have a good understanding of what it means to work in a lab, not just the practical side but quality assurance, health and safety and continual improvement processes as well. 

How has completion of the technical apprenticeship benefitted you personally and/or professionally?

I feel that the apprenticeship accelerated some skills that I may not have been performing at that point in my career yet, such as leading a continual improvement project associated with the plan a change business module.  Through this project I learned how to write risk assessments for QA as well as build my confidence in delivering presentations and communicating with different departments within the company.

What are your next career steps? 

My next step is to study Molecular Biology BSc at Dundee University starting in year 2.  I plan to study cancer biology and immunology as my optional modules as these are areas close to my heart and relevant to my career at Antibody Analytics.

Anything else to add?

The apprenticeship and HND have tied together nicely.  After starting at Antibody Analytics, we studied animal and plant cell culture and immunology modules at college.  My team is responsible for the routine culture of mammalian cells for use in immunology-based assays and so exposure through work really helped my understanding of the college modules and vice versa.  Applying for this opportunity was one of the best decisions I have ever made, and I feel so incredibly lucky to have been chosen!

Ciara Kyne; Lecturer at Glasgow Clyde College, adds:

Multidisciplinary talent underpins innovation and growth in the life sciences and biotechnology industries. Key to this, are courses such as the HND Industrial Biotechnology, which offer cross-disciplinary education spanning chemistry, biology, and their applied branches such as chemical engineering and biotechnology. The Technical Apprenticeship, of which the HND is an intrinsic element, has provided our learners with hands-on industry training and contextualised learning opportunities. In addition to expanding our links to industry, it has provided additional approaches to explore learner and employer needs, helping us to maintain a demand-led curriculum and an excellent student experience. We are proud of our strong, symbiotic working relationship with Antibody Analytics.

John Rafferty: Vice Principal for Curriculum at Glasgow Clyde College, says:

“Our college celebrates its 10th birthday this year, having merged Langside, Anniesland and Cardonald College in 2013 and acquired staff and curriculum from the former Stow College in 2015.  In that time our science department has grown significantly and we are now the largest college provider of science courses in the West of Scotland. Our excellent staff make employer engagement a priority, both to enrich learning for our students and to collaborate on learning solutions for their workforce.  10 years ago we had almost no employer links in science and today Antibody Analytics are just one of many large and small companies we work with to deliver apprenticeships and to supply with our most promising students.”