We promote careers in biotech and innovative life sciences to students, encourage the use of apprenticeships within our sector, and work to ensure the future of life sciences is diverse and equipped with all the talent and skills it needs.
Here is a bit more on BIA's own #BIGIMPACT campaign, which aims to attract young digital and computational talent into the biotech sector. You can support us by following our instagram, signing up to our newsletter, and sharing with your student networks.
#BIGIMPACT Campaign
#BIGIMPACT
#BIGIMPACT exists to connect the best digital talent with the UK’s most innovative biotech and life science companies. Our industry needs digital talent, it is important for everyone to work together to attract talent to our sector. Visit our website to download our media pack, or contact us if you want to offer industry placements to students.
Social Media
Reaching younger audiences is vital for our efforts of attracting fresh new digital and computational talent into our sector. The #BIGIMPACT campaign works through social media channels to get our message out there - biotech is an exciting industry where you can have a #BIGIMPACT.
If you have access to any student networks, consider sharing our Instagram page with them.
Attracting experienced talent through the North Sea Jobs Service
The North Sea Jobs Service is a forthcoming UK-wide government service designed to support oil and gas workers to move into new, secure employment in clean energy and other Industrial Strategy priority sectors, including life sciences, defence, advanced manufacturing and construction.
North Sea Jobs Service
The North Sea Jobs Service is a forthcoming UK-wide government service designed to support oil and gas workers to move into new, secure employment in clean energy and other Industrial Strategy priority sectors, including life sciences, defence, advanced manufacturing and construction. The Service will provide tailored careers advice, jobs matching, brokerage and access to training to help workers transition into new roles, with the first users expected to receive support in early 2027.
As the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) continues to develop the NSJS, they are looking to engage with life sciences employers to understand future workforce needs and how the Service can provide a credible and effective route to attract skilled and experienced talent from the oil and gas workforce.
DESNZ are particularly keen to meet with employers that operate in Scotland or North East England, given the concentration of oil and gas workers in these regions. However, they would also welcome discussions with employers across the UK given the NSJS’s UK-wide focus.
If you would like to discuss the North Sea Jobs Service and opportunities to engage in its development, please contact [email protected].
Science in schools
We also support a number of initiatives by charities or fellow organizations which aim to help children from all backgrounds to discover science early on, helping to reduce the future skills gap in our sector.
In2Science
In2scienceUK exists to unlock the potential of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds and boost diversity and inclusion in the sector to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) based industries.
With salaries in STEM being 20% higher than other sectors, this helps young people progress to better-paid jobs and economic stability.
STEM Learning
STEM Learning UK
At STEM Learning, our commitment to STEM education is part of everything we do. Whether that’s delivering teacher CPD (continuing professional development) in STEM subjects, bringing STEM role models into schools as part of the STEM Ambassador Programme or providing bespoke, long-term support for groups of schools in collaboration with companies through our ENTHUSE Partnerships, our aim is always the same – to improve lives through STEM education.
We don’t do this alone! We work in collaboration with the UK Government, employers large and small, organisations and educational establishments to deliver positive STEM interactions for teachers, young people and beyond.
Speakers for Schools
The Careers & Enterprise Company
This national organization in England partners with schools, colleges, and employers to enhance modern, 21st-century careers education. Their mission is to guide every young person toward their ideal career path. By collaborating with primary and secondary schools, colleges, and employers, they strive to elevate careers education and secure better outcomes for students.
Operating on a national scale, their efforts are coordinated through a network of Careers Hubs. These hubs connect schools, colleges, employers, and apprenticeship providers in local areas across England, working with Mayoral and local authorities to address regional skills needs.
Promoting diversity
Diversity in the talent pool is essential to the long-term success of our sector. By embracing a wide range of perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences, we ensure that companies can select from the best talent available, driving innovation and strengthening our industry’s future.
Diversity in Future Talent
STEM Scholars Programme
Johnson & Johnson launched an innovative new programme in the UK to help drive a more diverse health care workforce and ensure that all young people have equal opportunities to pursue a career in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships offer a strategic opportunity to enhance your workforce by developing specialized skills and addressing talent shortages. With access to funding for eligible companies, apprenticeships provide a cost-effective way to upskill existing staff while bringing in fresh, diverse talent. By fostering loyalty, improving morale, and boosting productivity, apprenticeships help create a more dynamic and effective organization.
The Advanced Therapies Apprenticeship Community
Coordinated by Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT Catapult), The Advanced Therapies Apprenticeship Community (ATAC) develops apprenticeship programmes designed specifically to help train and upskill your workforce in developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative therapies at scale.
ATAC offers a range of programmes designed in collaboration with accredited apprenticeship training providers and industry. ATAC offers a unique experience by ensuring that apprenticeships are tailored to suit specialist industry needs and provides apprentices and employers additional support and industry-led activities to complement programmes.
Careers in cell and gene therapy
Learn about the variety of roles in the cell and gene therapy sector from some of the inspiring people working in this field, including their motivations, career paths, and advice.