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If you are working towards a work-based qualification, such as a BTEC or apprenticeship, joining the ÀË»¨Ö±²¥ offers opportunities to gain additional recognition for your experience, connect you to a worldwide community and demonstrate your passion for the chemical sciences.

As an RSC member, you’ll have access to:

• networking opportunities through our local section events, special interest groups and online forums, so you can pursue your passion and connect with like minds
• up-to-date information to help you track your professional development, including our useful , online resources and webinars
• grants to support travel to events, outreach and research, as well as personal support and guidance
• the Chemists’ Community Fund, which provides advice and financial assistance for you in difficult situations
• our wellbeing and listening service, if you’re feeling stressed, anxious or overwhelmed and need confidential support

Getting the recognition you deserve will elevate your credibility and confidence, and help you progress in your career. With a recognised professional award, you're raising the bar – not only for yourself but for your profession. It demonstrates to potential employers that you've achieved a high level of competence in your role and that you're committed to continuous professional development.

Registered Science Technician (RSciTech)

Technicians are essential to chemical science practice and teaching. Their mastery of highly specialised equipment contributes to research outputs, their chemical analyses keep us safe and healthy, and they enable students to fall in love with science and to gain the practical skills they need for a science career. RSciTech recognises an individual's highly developed technical competence and professional skills.

If you are working towards, or have already completed, a qualification or apprenticeship at level 3 or above, RSciTech could be right for you. 

Registered Science Technician (RSciTech)

Registered Scientist (RSci)

Highly skilled and knowledgeable scientists underpin the advancement of the chemical sciences, and their contribution is as far-reaching as the industries and sectors they work in. RSci is a measure of excellence that recognises an individual's broad knowledge and high level practical skills.

If you are working towards, or have already completed, a qualification or apprenticeship at level 5 or above, RSci could be right for you.

Discover RSci

Some apprenticeship standards in England have been mapped against the requirements for RSciTech and RSci. This means that if you have completed one of these apprenticeships within the past 2 years, you will be eligible to apply through a shortened application. Check this to see if your apprenticeship has been mapped or get in touch for more information.

If you are looking for resources to help understand the full range of pathways into a chemical science career, is the perfect place to start.

From apprenticeships to full-time vocational or technical qualifications and degrees, there is a broad range of interesting and rewarding careers available to suit all types of learners. provides careers information to help and inspire young people, educators and careers advisers about the wide range of routes available to study chemistry beyond school age, as well as offering useful information and resources about study and career options. 

We are committed to helping learners and employers choose high quality apprenticeship programmes. Part of that is providing assurance that programmes provide the knowledge and professional competencies needed for a successful career in the chemical sciences. That’s where accreditation comes in. We accredit apprenticeships following a rigorous evaluation process that helps learners and employers make an informed and confident decision.

We are happy to offer support for colleges, training providers and HEIs that are looking to develop an apprenticeship or other technical or vocational programme. Please get in touch to start a conversation and find out more.

What has been really pleasurable for us was to work with a very open-minded professional body where innovation in teaching is considered, dissected and reflected upon without any preconceived idea as to what a programme should look like, bringing constructive criticism to the programme team, as a critical friend would...

We are committed to helping learners and employers choose high-quality apprenticeship programmes. Part of that is providing assurance that programmes provide the knowledge and professional competencies needed for a successful career in the chemical sciences. That’s where accreditation comes in. We accredit apprenticeships following a rigorous evaluation process that helps learners and employers make informed and confident decisions. 

Accreditation is a mark of quality to help both employers and prospective learners when choosing a programme. Accredited providers can apply for funding to cover the training costs of an apprentice at a non-levy-paying company, while learners at accredited providers get support in applying for professional registration. In addition, accredited providers and their learners are invited to exclusive RSC events – including the apprentice graduation celebration – free of charge.

If you would like to find out how your programme could become accredited, please get in touch.

Having had the programme accredited has been really well received by our learners, employers and partners, and although it is hard work to put together, successfully going through an accreditation is definitely worth the effort.

Dr. Chrystelle Egger, MBA, Lead MSc Technical Leadership (Research Scientist Apprenticeship), Keele University

Apprenticeships give employers a great opportunity to recruit and develop talent in a way that suits their business and priorities – whether that’s succession planning, attracting and retaining staff, diversifying a workforce or even upskilling existing staff. Apprentices can be a brilliant addition to any company, big or small.

An apprentice will spend most of their time working while being trained and supported by a mentor, but will also attend a college, university or other training provider to receive off-the-job training. Typically, this includes the underpinning theory needed for their job role, practical experience supported by theory, and other professional or transferable skills, such as report writing, literature searching or experimental design.

Training providers support you along every step of your apprenticeship journey; helping to recruit the right apprentice for your business, tailor off-the-job training, guide you through the funding landscape and provide advice on how to mentor an apprentice.

Often while they are receiving their off-the-job training, an apprentice will be working towards their qualification. The level of qualification varies, depending on the type of apprenticeship and the occupation it leads into, but they can range from school-leaver through to degree-level, covering occupations such as laboratory technician, scientist and research scientist.

Funding for the off-the-job training an apprentice receives is usually covered, at least in part, by government. However, as an apprentice is first and fore mostly an employee, the company they work for is responsible for paying their salary and must pay at least the minimum or living wage, dependent on the age of the apprentice.

The RSC accredits apprenticeships that meet the standards for the professional awards of RSciTech or RSci (depending on the level of the apprenticeship). Accreditation is a quality mark that guarantees an apprenticeship programme is of a high standard and meets the needs of all stakeholders, including employers.

If you are wondering whether an apprenticeship could be right for your company, but don’t know where to start, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to talk through your requirements and options.