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There are no set entry requirements to become pharmacy assistant. Employers usually expect good literacy, numeracy and IT skills. They may ask for GCSEs or equivalent qualifications. You will be given the training you need to be a member of the pharmacy team. This includes health and safety, use of IT systems, manufacturing medicines and dispensing prescriptions. A level 2 apprenticeship for pharmacy service assistants is available.

Pharmacy assistants working in the NHS will work standard hours of around 37.5 a week which may include shifts. They usually start in the NHS at band 2 or 3 of the Agenda for Change pay scale. Terms and conditions outside of the NHS will vary depending on the employer.

Excellent communication, customer service, IT and manual skills are all needed. You'll also need to be accurate and methodical, able to read and carry out instructions, be interested in people’s health and able to explain clearly to members of the public.

You may be offered the chance to study for qualifications such as a NVQ level 2 in pharmacy service skills or BTEC level 2 in pharmaceutical science. With experience, you could become a team leader or supervisor, overseeing the work of other assistants. Some experienced pharmacy assistants apply to train as a pharmacy technician.

To be fully qualified as an electrician, you need a level 3 qualification, usually an NVQ and/or a Diploma in Installing Electrotechnical Systems and Equipment. Although electricians often join the NHS fully qualified and experienced, it may be possible to train as an electrician. Employers usually ask for at least three GCSEs (or equivalent), including maths, English and science. They may ask for some experience in construction or other practical work. There are sometimes apprenticeships in estates support/estates maintenance that can provide this type of experience. Employers may ask for a driving licence. When you start as a trainee electrician, your training will include health and safety, how to use the tools and equipment and all aspects of electrical work You will be encouraged to study for qualifications such as NVQs.

Estates staff working in the NHS are paid on the Agenda for Change (AfC) pay system. As an estates support worker, you could start on AfC band 2. As a qualified electrician in estates maintenance, you will typically start on AfC band 3. With further training and experience, you could apply for more senior positions at bands 4 and above. Electricians in the NHS work standard hours of around 37.5 a week. The job may involve shifts including early starts, evenings and weekends. Electricians may be part of an on-call rota for emergency cover. Terms and conditions will usually be different for electricians working outside of the NHS.

As an electrician you'll need to be very health and safety aware, able to follow procedures, careful and responsible, able to work alone or unsupervised when necessary and able to work to deadlines. You'll also need good manual (hand) skills, good organisational and time management skills.

Once fully qualified and with experience, an electrician can become a team leader, supervising the work of others. With further experience you could progress to manager, responsible for electrical services in a hospital, area or trust. Electricians may be able to move into other estates services roles such as estates technician . They can apply to train as engineers. There are opportunities outside the NHS.