Employment in Ireland’s biopharmaceutical sector grew by more than 60pc between 2016 and 2022, according to the course’s operators.
Technological University Dublin will run a new apprenticeship programme designed to address the skills gap in Ireland’s rapidly growing biopharmaceutical sector.
The ‘Higher Certificate in Science: Bio Process, Chemical Process Technician’ apprenticeship has been developed by BioPharmaChem Ireland in partnership with the School of Chemical and Biopharmaceutical Sciences at TU Dublin.
This comes amid a period in which Ireland’s biopharma sector is experiencing a major boost, having grown by more than 60pc between 2016 and 2022 and driving demand for specially skilled employees, according to the programme’s operators.
The apprenticeship is a level-six, two-year programme that will combine academic study and paid workplace learning, with a goal of providing apprentices with the scientific knowledge, technical expertise and practical experience needed for successful careers in biopharma manufacturing.
Speaking at the course’s launch, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless, TD said, “This apprenticeship is about creating opportunities. It gives people a new pathway into a sector that is helping to shape the future of manufacturing and healthcare, while allowing them to earn, learn and build practical experience from day one.
“I’m particularly pleased to see the strong collaboration behind this programme, which has brought together employers, education providers and Government to respond to a real skills need and create new opportunities for learners.”
BioPharmaChem Ireland is the trade association within Ibec that represents the country’s biopharma and chemical sectors. Its membership consists of more than 90 companies from across the ecosystem, including multinationals and Irish indigenous businesses.
Dr Deirdre Lillis, the president of TU Dublin, added, “Ireland’s biopharmaceutical sector is one of the country’s greatest economic success stories, employing around 50,000 people directly, with demand expected to grow by more than 21,000 additional jobs by 2027.
“Ireland’s success has been built on strong collaboration between industry and technological higher education, and meeting future demand requires that partnership to grow even stronger.
“At TU Dublin, we believe the best education is developed with employers, not simply for them. This apprenticeship reflects that commitment, combining academic excellence with workplace learning to equip apprentices with the skills employers need while strengthening Ireland’s position as a global leader in life sciences.”
In August, it was announced that Research Ireland’s Rinn Pharma & Biopharma, Ireland’s national centre for research and innovation in the manufacturing of medicines, would be included in the NordicPharmaTrain network.
Inclusion in the group means Rinn can enhance NordicPharmaTrain’s network of research institutions and industry collaborators, strengthen cross-border collaboration and accelerate scientific progress within pharma.
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