Apprenticeship ยท Level 6 ยท Biopharma

Laboratory Technician

A two-year apprenticeship for working in a lab doing testing and routine tasks. It suits people who like precision and are good at maths and science.

How apprenticeships work: you are hired by an approved employer and paid while you learn, mixing work with blocks of training in a college or training centre. You don't apply through the CAO and you don't need CAO points.

Key facts

How long
2 years
Award
QQI Level 6 Higher Certificate in Science - Laboratory Technician
Where you train
  • Higher education institution (programme managed by Ibec / BioPharmaChem Ireland)
Pay
You earn a salary from your employer while training on and off the job. The rate is agreed with your employer.
Costs
Student contribution of โ‚ฌ1,500 a year (โ‚ฌ3,000 in total), paid to the higher education institution.

Entry requirements

  • You must be hired by an employer approved by SOLAS
  • Full eligibility criteria are in the Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship brochure

How to apply

You must be hired by an approved employer. Search the Apprenticeship Jobs page or express your interest on the Laboratory Apprenticeship website.

Express your interest (Ibec) โ†— Official page on apprenticeship.ie โ†—

What you'll learn

  • Using lab equipment following standard procedures
  • Working safely in a lab
  • Chemistry techniques such as titrations and pH testing
  • Basic chemistry and microbiology
  • Logging samples and water and product testing

Where it can lead

  • Laboratory technician in biopharma, chemical manufacturing, medical devices, food and drink, or analytical testing labs

Useful Leaving Cert subjects

Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Physics and Chemistry

These help with the content of the programme; they are not entry requirements unless listed above.

Other Biopharma apprenticeships

Tertiary degrees in Chemical Science

Not sure which route suits you?

Our CAO Interest Test matches you to course areas, and now shows apprenticeships and tertiary degrees in your strongest areas too.

Take the CAO Interest Test โ†’ Try the free 3-minute test

Information from apprenticeship.ie, checked November 2026. Details can change, so always confirm on the official page before applying.