Connect to Skills Development & Talent
Skills Development
Scotland’s Life Sciences sector benefits from a highly skilled and internationally recognised workforce.
Our Life and Chemical Sciences Skills Investment Plan, developed in partnership with industry, ensures that businesses can take advantage of growth opportunities whilst simultaneously ensuring resilience when faced with challenges.
Specifically, the skills development programmes and initiatives have been designed to address and drive the most significant advances in the industry including:
- Industry 4.0
- Precision Medicine
- Digital Health
- Data
- Bioeconomy
- Advanced Manufacturing
Upskilling and reskilling are integral to business development.
Apprenticeships in Life Sciences
Whether it’s hiring someone new or developing an existing employee, apprenticeships can help provide the skills you need to adapt, sustain and strengthen your business. There are two different types of apprenticeships available within Life Sciences in Scotland.
Foundation Apprenticeship in Scientific Technologies helps senior phase secondary school pupils develop an understanding of work in science based industries, and develop the skills and knowledge to enter a career.
Modern Apprenticeship in Life Science and Related Sciences helps employees gain skills and knowledge they need for roles in Life Sciences and its related industries. It’s offered at two levels to support new entrants and the upskilling of existing teams.
Advanced Therapies Apprenticeship Community
The Advanced Therapies Apprenticeship Community (ATAC) is the first apprenticeship programme designed specifically to train and upskill individuals to develop, manufacture and deliver innovative therapies at scale. Delivered by the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, UK ATAC provides support to both the apprentices and businesses undertaking a Modern Apprenticeship within Life Sciences.
Click here to find out more about the ATAC programme.
Graduate Employability Masterclasses
The Graduate Employability Masterclasses bring together universities and employers to offer the next generation of graduates a three-week practical experience and insight, helping them launch their new career.
Click here to find out more about the Graduate Employability Masterclass.
Life and Chemical Sciences Workforce Development Portal
Businesses in Scotland’s Life and Chemical Sciences sectors can access support to develop their staff via a one-stop online portal. The Life & Chemical Sciences Workforce Development Portal helps Scottish businesses and potential investors explore training and learning options for their current and future workforce. Employers can identify a range of learning pathways available, from apprenticeships through to degree-level courses.
Click here to find out more about the Workforce Development Portal
Pipeline of Skilled Talent
Worldwide, Scotland ranks among the top three for research productivity and impact, home to 19 universities and 12 further education institutions, and world leading research centres that attract some of the brightest scientists from across Scotland and around the world.
This generates 20,000 university graduates every year in biological sciences, engineering and technology and medicine allied subjects. There are a further 9,000 highly skilled people working in medical technology roles across 250 companies based in Scotland.
To find out more about how to equip your workforce with the skills for the future, visit: www.ourskillsforce.co.uk.