Life Sciences Operator

Starting wages vary by employer, with apprentices typically earning approximately $16–20 per hour during the paid, employer-based portion of the apprenticeship. During 11th and 12th grade, students will also receive stipends for eligible work-based learning and apprenticeship activities

Because Life Sciences Operator apprentices are employees of the business, they fall under their employer's policies for benefits, performance reviews, and pay increases over time.

Students begin exploring life sciences careers as early as 9th and 10th grade through career exploration activities and planning with their school counselor.

The INCAP Life Sciences Operator apprenticeship officially begins in 11th grade and lasts three years, including a full year of work-based learning at the employer after high school graduation.

An INCAP Life Sciences Operator apprentice follows a weekly schedule that changes over time as apprentices gain experience:

• 11th & 12th Grade: Learn + Prepare
  • Students complete biotechnology coursework and 150 hours of work-based learning through their high school, CTE center, and/or approved training environment. Students build technical and employability skills through hands-on training, simulations, industry projects, and employer engagement while earning an Indiana-recognized Credential of Value.
• Summer After 12th Grade: Work + Apply
  • After graduation, students transition to full-time, paid employment with a life sciences employer or approved training center, typically five days per week. This is where the majority of employer-based, work-based learning occurs. Students apply their skills in an authentic life sciences manufacturing environment while accumulating the remaining hours necessary for the 650 total work-based learning hours required for Indiana's Employment Honors Plus diploma seal.
• Year After High School: Work + Demonstrate
  • Students continue full-time, paid employment, typically five days per week, while completing the final year of the apprenticeship. Students demonstrate Life Science Operator competencies on the job and complete any remaining technical training and postsecondary coursework required by the program.

*Students must be 18 years old by graduation to begin the full-time, employer-based portion of the apprenticeship; 650 total hours of WBL must be earned by Sept. 30 following senior year to count for the Employment Honors Plus seal. Schedules may vary based on employer.

INCAP Life Sciences Operator apprentices work in modern life sciences manufacturing environments including cleanrooms, manufacturing suites, warehouses, laboratories, and other regulated production areas.

The environment is team-oriented and requires attention to detail, adherence to procedures, safety awareness, professional communication, and a commitment to product quality.

The Life Sciences Operator Apprenticeship Program front loads learning through required coursework during junior and senior year. Students don’t begin working onsite at the employer until the summer after senior year. This is because life science employers want apprentices to be 18+ before they begin work in a manufacturing environment.

During junior and senior year, apprentices will earn a minimum of 150 work-based learning hours in modeled and simulated environments and through industry-based challenges as part of the biotechnology curriculum. They will earn the remaining 500 hours during the summer after senior year, when they are working at the employer. Apprentices in the Life Sciences Operator program will still earn the Employment Honors Plus seal — but it will be retroactively granted once they finish the 650 hours required for that seal.