Level 3 Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship

The Level 3 Pharmacy Technician Apprenticeship is a two-year, nationally recognised programme that equips learners with the technical skills and professional knowledge to deliver safe, effective and compliant pharmacy services. Learners build confidence in dispensing, stock control, regulation, and patient communication, while developing leadership and accuracy-checking capabilities. On completion, apprentices meet the standards required by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and can apply for registration as a qualified Pharmacy Technician.

To be eligible, learners must have lived in the UK, EEA or EU for the past three years and be employed in a pharmacy or healthcare setting. It’s ideally suited to pharmacy assistants, dispensers, or support workers who are ready to progress into qualified technician roles. Those without Level 2 Maths and English can complete these alongside the programme. Pharmacy employers benefit from investing in a structured development route that strengthens their team and supports compliance with national standards.

The apprenticeship typically takes 24 months to complete. During this time, learners balance hands-on experience with structured learning sessions, portfolio development and assessments. This blend allows apprentices to apply new knowledge directly to their day-to-day responsibilities, reinforcing learning through practice. By the end of the programme, learners are equipped with the confidence, professional behaviours and technical expertise to operate safely and effectively within hospital, community or primary care pharmacy environments.

tend delivers this apprenticeship through a flexible blended approach that combines workplace learning, online resources and regular one-to-one coaching. Pharmacy apprentices learn through real scenarios, applying knowledge to dispensing, patient safety, and legal compliance in live pharmacy settings. Off-the-job learning is built into their role, allowing development without disrupting daily operations. tend Development Coaches guide learners every step of the way, providing expert feedback and support to ensure each apprentice meets professional and organisational goals.

The End Point Assessment is an independent review confirming that apprentices meet the professional standards expected of a Pharmacy Technician. It includes a professional discussion underpinned by a portfolio, a knowledge test, and sometimes scenario-based questioning. This ensures learners can demonstrate competence across technical, clinical, and ethical areas of practice. Successfully passing the EPA confirms readiness to register with the GPhC and provides employers with assurance of nationally benchmarked quality and professionalism.

Learners develop a wide range of skills essential to modern pharmacy practice, including safe dispensing, stock control, legislation, and patient counselling. They gain confidence in record-keeping, team communication, and error prevention, all while strengthening their ability to manage workflow and support pharmacists effectively. The programme also promotes professional behaviours, ethical awareness and continuous improvement.

This Pharmacy Technician apprenticeship is particularly valuable for pharmacy assistants, dispensers and healthcare support staff working across hospitals, community pharmacies and primary care. It’s ideal for employees who have practical experience but want to achieve professional recognition through GPhC registration. Employers benefit by developing skilled, compliant staff who bring new knowledge, consistency and efficiency to their pharmacy teams, helping services operate safely and effectively while improving patient outcomes.

There can be no tuition fees for employers. The Pharmacy Technician programme is up to 100% fully funded through the Apprenticeship Levy or government co-investment for smaller organisations. This makes it a cost-effective way to train future Pharmacy Technicians who can meet GPhC standards and reduce recruitment challenges. Employers only need to provide support for off-the-job training, which delivers long-term returns through improved service quality, staff retention and patient safety.

On successful completion, apprentices gain a nationally recognised Level 3 qualification and become eligible to apply for registration as a Pharmacy Technician with the GPhC. Graduates can progress into senior or specialist roles, pursue higher-level leadership apprenticeships, or move into management and training positions.

tend provides comprehensive support throughout the Pharmacy Technician apprenticeship. Learners receive regular one-to-one sessions with experienced tend Development Coaches who guide progress, offer feedback and ensure readiness for assessment. Employers are kept informed through structured reviews and progress reports, aligning training with workplace priorities. This collaborative approach ensures apprentices succeed in their development while delivering measurable benefits to the pharmacy team and wider organisation.