National Apprenticeship Week: Alexandra's Story
14th February 2025
Alexandra Allen is a Level 6 Scientist Degree Apprentice inBioscience at eXmoor Pharma, working across various departments within process development at a full service cell & gene therapy CDMO.
I’ve been able to gain valuable insight into different aspects of process development, from the generation of material in upstream to sample testing in analytics.
Alexandra Allen, Level 6 Scientist Degree Apprenticeship, eXmoor Pharma
Alexandra is just one of a number of apprentices who are experiencing the benefits of eXmoor Pharma’s apprenticeship’s programme. Indeed, the programme, managed by Viral Vector Team Lead Mike Kilcooley, has provided benefits for staff and apprentices alike. Junior staff have been able to to develop mentoring and managerial skills whilst supervising apprentices, ensuring they are guided through their placement with care and consideration for their development. New training tools originally put in place for the apprentices have subsequently been used with new and existing staff too, helping drive continuous improvement.
Alexandra sums up how she feels doing an apprenticeship is supporting her career aspirations.
“Throughout my apprenticeship at eXmoor I have had the opportunity to work across various departments within process development. This exposure has enabled me to gain valuable insight into different aspects of process development, from the generation of material in upstream to sample testing in analytics. The combination of this hands-on experience along with my academic studies has helped me develop a well-rounded skill set and knowledge that will enable me to make an informed decision on my career path towards the end of my apprenticeship.”
eXmoor Pharma is a full service Cell & Gene Therapy contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) backed by 20 years consultancy experience supporting over 150 organisations accelerate novel therapies from discovery to patients. The company provides expert solutions at all stages of the development journey from early process development and scale-up through to GMP manufacture, fill and finish and QP release. Mike Kilcooley’s final thoughts might be paraphrased as sayong that apprentices provide those two-well known and two proverbial ingredients of success with them: inspiration and perspiration.
The novel ideas the apprentices have brought in from their degrees, alongside the hard work in their workplace placements have been invaluable for eXmoor.
Mike Kilcooley, Viral Vector Team Lead & Apprentice Manager, eXmoor Pharma