Skills4Pharmacy Solidifies Leadership in UK Pharmacy Apprenticeship Sector
Skills4Pharmacy proudly announces its continued dominance as the UK's leading provider of Level 2 Pharmacy Services Assistant and Level 3 Pharmacy Technician apprenticeship training for the third consecutive quarter. * This sustained leadership coincides with a remarkable surge in Pharmacy Technician apprenticeships, propelling the qualification into the top 30 apprenticeships across England.
"We're incredibly pleased to remain the leader in pharmacy apprenticeship starts," says Jamie Crinigan, Managing Director at Skills4Pharmacy. "This consistent performance underscores our commitment to developing skilled pharmacy professionals and addressing the needs of the sector."
Level 3 Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship
The significant 83% growth in Level 3 Pharmacy Technician apprenticeship starts this year at Skills4Pharmacy has positioned the qualification within touching distance of the highly sought-after Nursing Degree Apprenticeship. This surge has been significantly bolstered by the support from NHS England's Workforce, Training and Education (WT&E), which provides crucial funding for Pre-Registration Trainee Pharmacy Technicians (PTPTs).
The recent release of new funding for the PTPT programme is expected to further accelerate the growth and accessibility of these vital training pathways and we look forward to supporting and enrolling future apprentices before the 31 October deadline.
Jamie added, "We're thrilled to see such substantial growth in Pharmacy Technician starts. This not only highlights the increasing demand and value of this vital role but also contributes significantly to strengthening our healthcare workforce.”
Evolving Standards: GPhC to Propose Level 4 Training for Pharmacy Technicians
This significant growth within the sector aligns with crucial developments from the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). As reported by Pharmacy Magazine, the GPhC is set to propose a major overhaul of the pharmacy technician training framework, including plans to elevate the required study level from Level 3 to Level 4, equivalent to the first year of a bachelor's degree or higher national certificate.
This progressive move, aimed at reflecting the evolving needs of healthcare and professional responsibilities, will be detailed in a public consultation launching this September. It is also partly influenced by ongoing government discussions aimed at empowering pharmacy technicians with greater responsibility in dispensing and managing medicine supplies.
Importance of Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships enable individuals to earn while they learn, gaining vital on-the-job experience and qualifications without debt, boosting their career prospects. For businesses, they're a strategic way to build a skilled talent pipeline, improve productivity, and foster a loyal, adaptable workforce, ultimately driving growth and closing skills gaps.
View all our apprenticeship programmes online.
*Skills4Pharmacy is the UK’s leading provider of Level 2 and Level 3 pharmacy apprenticeship training based on Q1-Q3 UK gov Education Statistics data from Aug 2024 to Apr 2025.