Additional
| Apprenticeship | Pharmacy Technician |
|---|---|
| Location | Online |
| Education Provider | Skills4Pharmacy |
Pharmacy Technician (Level 3)
Pharmacy Technicians are registered professionals working within the regulatory standards for pharmacy, as set by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) Pharmacy Order 2010. Pharmacy Technicians work in a wide range of settings, including (but not exclusively): registered pharmacies, community services, justice (the Prison Service), GP Practices, dispensing doctors’ practices, care homes and clinical commissioning groups, hospitals, mental health, defence (HM Armed Services) and within the pharmaceutical industry.
Employer Feedback
Feedback from Managers on the benefits the Pharmacy Technician apprenticeship has brought to the organisation:
”It provides additional support for the qualified Technicians we already have in post – Patients, colleagues and 3rd party organisations (e.g. care homes) are now receiving a better service and improved response times. It has further developed links with other sectors through cross sector working. It has demonstrated a progression pathway for staff in administrative roles to becoming a qualified clinician. Another staff member has re-taken GCSEs, to be in a position to apply in the future. Our learner has already shown a significant change in their confidence levels and is now willing to attempt tasks they would previously have shied away from. Their clinical knowledge is developing along with understanding of processes, other clinical roles and different Pharmacy sectors has also noticeably improved.”
”Developed the role of the individual but also helped rebalance workload across the team. Apprentice is now able to assist with more clinical based medical tasks and consult with patients and give information. Their confidence has grown and has the ability to work independently on prescription issues.”
Duration
24 months
24 months
Most Suitable For
Those wanting to develop their knowledge, skills and behaviours to become a Pharmacy Technician.
Those wanting to develop their knowledge, skills and behaviours to become a Pharmacy Technician.
Award
Level 3 Pharmacy Technician Advanced Apprenticeship and Pharmacy Technician Training Programme.
Level 3 Pharmacy Technician Advanced Apprenticeship and Pharmacy Technician Training Programme.
Programme Cost
£8,000
Tuition fee financial support options, and how to apply for most of these, are detailed in our Apprenticeships Process Employer Guide. Please note the following important changes to apprenticeship tuition fee funding options, for August 2026-July 2027 intakes:
- For non-levy paying employers (most SMEs): the tuition fee will now be 100% gov funded if the candidate is aged 16-24 (or turning 16 June-August 2026). The education provider will advise employer how to secure this during programme application stage. For level 2-6 programmes if candidate is aged 25 or over, both the levy transfer (100% funds) and co-investment (95% funds) options will continue to be available for employers to apply for.
- For levy-paying employers: for all level 2-6 programmes, for both apprentices already on programme and future intakes, the co-investment option has changed to 25% employer contribution and 75% gov contribution. However, for future applications, the levy transfer option (100% funds) will continue to be available for employers to apply for.
Additional Funding
- Employer incentives for apprenticeships starting between August 2026-July 2027 (see here for full details):
- £1,000 if apprentice is aged 16-18 (or turning 16 June-August 2026); or aged between 19-24 and has either an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan provided by their local authority and/or has been, or are, in the care of their local authority.
- £2,000 for non-levy paying employers only (typically SMEs) if recruit person(s) aged 16-24 (or turning 16 June-August 2026) on to an apprenticeship programme from October 2026, as long as the employment only starts within 90 days before the intake start date.
- £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant - Employer may be able to apply for this if recruits an unemployed person(s) aged 18-24 who has been on universal credit for over 6 months. Full details are available here.
- Employer may not have to pay Class 1 Employer National Insurance if apprentice is under the age of 25. Full details are available here.
Start Date
Intakes every month
Intakes every month
Teaching Delivery
Online
Online
Key Learning Requirements
Apprenticeships require learners to achieve specific new knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs), which are detailed in the Apprenticeship Standard. These are achieved by;
1) Programme Teaching; weekly 2 hour online teaching sessions plus online resources.
2) Independent study; such as assignment/project research and write up
3) Learning in the workplace; shadowing colleagues, completing programme assigned work based projects, day-to-day development within your current role duties/work activities, reflections with mentor, relevant training sessions.
Modules
This programme has fixed module delivery (you are unable to choose the modules studied). A list of modules is available on the course webpage or course materials. This includes an Accuracy Checking Pharmacy Technician module.
This programme has fixed module delivery (you are unable to choose the modules studied). A list of modules is available on the course webpage or course materials. This includes an Accuracy Checking Pharmacy Technician module.
Placements
This programme does not require external placements to be completed, although varied experiences are beneficial.
This programme does not require external placements to be completed, although varied experiences are beneficial.
Assessments
Apprentices will be assessed throughout the programme by assignments, observations, evaluations, work-based learning modules and End Point Assessment.
Apprentices will be assessed throughout the programme by assignments, observations, evaluations, work-based learning modules and End Point Assessment.
Key Candidate Entry Requirements
• Employed 30 hours or more per week for the duration of the apprenticeship. The apprenticeship duration may be extended to support staff who work less than this (but no lower than 21 hours).
• Working in an appropriate clinical setting to meet the requirements of the programme. This programme is able to support learners from all areas of pharmacy practice, including community pharmacies, hospitals, dispensing practices and prisons.
• Preferably, evidence of English and Maths at GCSE C/4 or above/Functional Skills Level 2/Equivalent.
• Preferably, evidence of Level 2 Science qualification.
Full requirements and details are found on the course webpage/information.
Key Employer Entry Requirements
- Ensure Learner has the support and opportunities to achieve the requirements of the apprenticeship
- A GPhC registered Pharmacist or Pharmacy Technician to mentor and supervise the apprentice in the workplace and support with registration, and a current Educational Audit (ULE). Locality GPEF to support Employer with these checks (including any relevant training and paperwork approval).
Listed as an Approved Provider under an NHS Procurement
Yes
Yes
Application Timescale
It takes on average 2 months to complete all application stages for this programme.
If recruiting to this position, additional time will be required for recruitment and advertising stages.
Additional Training Hub Support
Primary Care employees have access to:
- All resources provided by the L&SC PC Training Hub such as Digital training, Health and Wellbeing support and events.
- Plus, visit our Pharmacy Professionals webpage for more information on Pharmacy roles in Primary Care, plus further training, support and resources.
Pathway
On successful completion of this apprenticeship, examples of further apprenticeship options include; Enhanced Practitioner for Pharmacy Technician. Skills England has an interactive occupational maps tool which shows the variety of progression pathways using apprenticeships.
Career progression does not have to be linear. Entry criteria may differ per provider and even more varied routes may be available depending on the individuals prior learning and experience.
Information Last Updated
17/02/2026
17/02/2026
Further Programme and Provider Information
If you would like to know anything further about the programme itself, please contact: Skills4Pharmacy on [email protected] or 0161 7940528
How to Apply
If you would like to apply for an apprenticeship programme - either for yourself, a member of staff, or a vacancy position - please complete our apprenticeship form. This form is for Primary Care Employers within Lancashire and South Cumbria only.
By completing the form, the Training Hub Apprenticeships Team will be able to complete basic pre-checks, provide you with personalised guidance, and start the programme application process for you. If you would like to discuss anything first, please email [email protected] or call Olivia, Apprenticeships Manager, on 07735161775. You can find out about the stages of applying for an apprenticeship within our Apprenticeships Process (Employer Guide).
