To deliver cutting-edge treatments and revolutionise patient outcomes, the future life sciences sector workforce must be equipped with skills ranging from advanced scientific expertise, digital proficiency and AI-driven problem solving, according to a newly published report.
The Life Sciences 2035: Developing the Skills for Future Growth report from the Futures Group estimates that 70,000 additional jobs will be generated in the sector by 2035 and it calls for collaboration between government, industry and educational institutions to create a multiskilled talent pipeline to enable the UK to remain a dominant force in global innovation.
The report, published in partnership with the Association of British HealthTech Industries (ABHI), the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI), the BioIndustry Association (BIA), the Cogent Skills’ Science Industry Partnership (SIP) and the Office for Life Sciences (OLS), is part of an initiative designed to support the UK life sciences sector by encouraging diversity and growing a ‘talented and multi-disciplinary workforce’, and builds on the findings of the previous 2030 Skills Strategy.
There are currently over 270,900 professionals directly employed in the UK life sciences sector, although approximately 16% of the industry’s workforce is expected to retire in the next decade. As aspects of the industry such as AI and technological advancements are developing rapidly, there is a stronger need for deeper and more varied skills.
The report’s research on recruitment trends reveals high demand for IT and computer science roles, with software developers, data scientists and biostatisticians being mentioned in 13% of life science sector job postings. Other key recruitment areas include business management and healthcare, which are both growing at a rate of 12%, followed by engineering and science (both increasing at a rate of 7%). Demand for digital skills, particularly AI capability, is higher than the industry average, and postings that mention law, regulation and compliance skills have also increased by 7%.
These findings feed into a new Industrial Strategy aimed at identifying skill gaps and providing opportunities to better prepare the future workforce. Some of the goals include:
- Providing enhanced academic and career pathways
- Driving innovation and technological integration
- Supporting UK companies
- Attracting and retain diverse talent
The report highlights the aim of upskilling the future talent pipeline through training, education and apprenticeship programmes, and suggests that offering these alternate career progression pathways is essential for strategic, long-term planning. John O’Keeffe, Director of Professional Development at TOPRA, said: ‘TOPRA is playing its part by providing opportunities for education, training and apprenticeships and we look forward to working collaboratively to help achieve the shared goals to inspire the next generation of regulatory affairs professionals.’
To achieve a stronger workforce for the future, the report calls for a ‘shared commitment to nurturing talent, advancing technological innovation, and developing the infrastructure critical for sustained growth’.
