The BioPharma Expert Group on Future Skills Needs Report, the calm before the storm

The latest BioPharma Expert Group on Future Skills Needs Report is due to be published later this year. No doubt, it will be welcomed, keenly read and analysed by all stakeholders. As always, there will be a rush to the conclusions and recommendations pages with a view to moving to action. This is of course a welcome response.

However, I would also suggest that while the industry is waiting for the report, it would be valuable to use the time for reflection.

The last report from the group published in August 2016 contained recommendations under the 6 headings below. The lead body for driving the delivery of each recommendation was identified, along with other partners who needed to be involved in ensuring effective delivery.  Specifically, the report suggested that “Industry members (i.e. companies) have an important role to play in ensuring that many of the recommendations are progressed.”

So, the reflective questions become, have we as broad industry collective done enough to shift the needle on skills gaps for the Industry? Is the process for addressing the skills and talent needs of the Biopharma industry a living process or does it need a report to galvanize us into action?  Has the Industry committed to the challenge to work in collaboration with education and training providers and relevant stakeholders?

I will leave it to you to answer!

Written By: Brian Dillon, Industry Liaison Officer