A Gateway to Opportunity

The UK’s Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT Catapult) is offering apprenticeships to help fill the skills gap faced by the advanced medicines sector. In its 2016 Advanced Therapies Manufacturing Action Plan, the UK government – in line with the country's ambition to become a leader in the cell and gene therapy space – acknowledged that it must encourage more people into STEM careers through vocational training and academic links to support the industry’s future trajectory.
 
In response, CGT Catapult has developed a series of bespoke apprenticeship programmes that train new talent and upskill existing staff. The initiative will focus on the skills necessary to develop, manufacture and deliver advanced therapies at scale, and will provide an alternative to the conventions of traditional academic education. Apprenticeship standards in occupations ranging from Manufacturing Technicians, ATMP Scientists, Senior Leaders and Regulatory Affairs Specialists are being delivered by employers using a range of flexible training providers including the CSR Group, University of Kent, Open University and TOPRA (The Organisation for Professionals in Regulatory Affairs).  All programmes offer a supporting working environment in which to develop the specialist knowledge, technical skills and professional behaviours to be fully occupational competent within the role within the Advanced Therapies Sector.
 
Employers have taken on over 30 people in its first few cohorts but is still expanding because of the level of interest. Over 200 students applied to be considered as part of the ATMP Scientist apprenticeship which focussed on bringing new talent in to the sector, Catapult to launch new programs in Scotland, in partnership with employers and Forth Valley College. The UK’s Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT Catapult) is offering apprenticeships to help fill the skills gap faced by the advanced medicines sector. In its 2016 Advanced Therapies Manufacturing Action Plan, the UK government – in line with the country's ambition to become a leader in the cell and gene therapy space – acknowledged that it must encourage more people into STEM careers through vocational training and academic links to support the industry’s future trajectory.
 
In response, CGT Catapult has developed a series of bespoke apprenticeship programmes that train new talent and upskill existing staff. The initiative will focus on the skills necessary to develop, manufacture and deliver advanced therapies at scale, and will provide an alternative to the conventions of traditional academic education. Apprenticeship standards in occupations ranging from Manufacturing Technicians, ATMP Scientists, Senior Leaders and Regulatory Affairs Specialists are being delivered by employers using a range of flexible training providers including the CSR Group, University of Kent, Open University and TOPRA (The Organisation for Professionals in Regulatory Affairs).  All programmes offer a supporting working environment in which to develop the specialist knowledge, technical skills and professional behaviours to be fully occupational competent within the role within the Advanced Therapies Sector.
 
Employers have taken on over 30 people in its first few cohorts but is still expanding because of the level of interest. Over 200 students applied to be considered as part of the ATMP Scientist apprenticeship which focussed on bringing new talent in to the sector, Catapult to launch new programs in Scotland, in partnership with employers and Forth Valley College.