This time last year, I was not aware of Skills Bootcamps. However, after participating in a Laboratory Skills & Biotechnology Skills Bootcamp at BioGrad, I now understand their value in upskilling people and supporting their aspirations for better career prospects. The best part is that they are fully funded for individuals in the Liverpool City Region, making a career in science more accessible than ever before.
My professional background is solely business-related. I completed my degree in Business Management in 2023 and shortly after joined the BioGrad Education team to aid in running Skills Bootcamps. As someone with no science education since my GCSEs, I thought it would be highly beneficial for me to attend one of our Skills Bootcamps, giving me a foundation of knowledge that I can implement within my role. I wanted to go into it with an open mind and determination to make the most of the 2 weeks, which I feel I did!
The Bootcamp consists of 60 guided learning hours, split between practical and theory sessions. These sessions are run by highly qualified doctors and lecturers, ensuring all theory is deeply discussed and understood by all of the students. All of our questions were answered thoroughly by the lecturers, followed by real-life examples to aid our understanding.
We would begin each morning with quizzes to test our existing knowledge on the module we would be covering that day. The morning sessions contained the theory that we would then apply for the practical in the afternoons. The lecturers ensured we had complete knowledge of the practical before starting it to make us as confident as possible when trying the new techniques.
This time last year, I was not aware of Skills Bootcamps. However, after participating in a Laboratory Skills & Biotechnology Skills Bootcamp at BioGrad, I now understand their value in upskilling people and supporting their aspirations for better career prospects. The best part is that they are fully funded for individuals in the Liverpool City Region, making a career in science more accessible than ever before.
My professional background is solely business-related. I completed my degree in Business Management in 2023 and shortly after joined the BioGrad Education team to aid in running Skills Bootcamps. As someone with no science education since my GCSEs, I thought it would be highly beneficial for me to attend one of our Skills Bootcamps, giving me a foundation of knowledge that I can implement within my role. I wanted to go into it with an open mind and determination to make the most of the 2 weeks, which I feel I did!
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The Bootcamp consists of 60 guided learning hours, split between practical and theory sessions. These sessions are run by highly qualified doctors and lecturers, ensuring all theory is deeply discussed and understood by all of the students. All of our questions were answered thoroughly by the lecturers, followed by real-life examples to aid our understanding.
We would begin each morning with quizzes to test our existing knowledge on the module we would be covering that day. The morning sessions contained the theory that we would then apply for the practical in the afternoons. The lecturers ensured we had complete knowledge of the practical before starting it to make us as confident as possible when trying the new techniques.
Throughout the 2 week, we covered many techniques, including ELISA, Western Blot, PCR, gram staining and the opportunity to present scientific research to the lecturers and course participants. These were all skills and techniques I had previously assumed to be extremely hard and required a science background to understand, however, the Skills Bootcamp opened my eyes to the accessibility of the information, especially when taught so well and effectively by the teaching team.
Though these skills will mainly apply to those working in science or laboratories, I’ll be able to apply them in my role at BioGrad, helping students also gain the knowledge and skills to push them into the careers they want. I feel confident I can aid these potential learners and help provide them with the valuable information they need to prosper in the field of science.
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I not only enjoyed the course itself, but it also gave me valuable insights into how a working laboratory operates. Additionally, as the Royal Society of Biology approved the course, it has added a great credential to my CV.
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This Skills Bootcamp is suitable for anyone in the Liverpool City Region who has a passion for science, regardless of whether you are currently employed in the field or aspire to be. The BioGrad Laboratory Skills & Biotechnology Skills Bootcamp is an ideal choice for you, whether you are already skilled in laboratory work or not. This course serves as an excellent foundation for you to enhance your knowledge and confidence in a laboratory setting.
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For anyone interested in joining us, get in touch; fundedcourses@biograd.co.uk or visit our website to find out more about Skills Bootcamps.
