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Building an inclusive life sciences workforce in Paddington 24 Oct 2024

A collaborative report commissioned by Paddington Life Sciences Partners reveals the skills needed to strengthen the life sciences workforce and provide access to careers for residents in Paddington.

To grow the life science workforce in Paddington, it is a top priority to attract local talent for data and digital roles, according to a new report commissioned by Paddington Life Sciences Partners.

In addition, the report found a growing demand for skills in hard-to-fill occupations, particularly clinical and regulatory affairs roles.

The report builds on interviews with leading life sciences, pharmaceutical and health organisations, including Paddington Life Sciences Partners.

Established by Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in 2023, Paddington Life Sciences Partners, is a membership group bringing together the NHS, industry and academic organisations with a shared commitment to developing a life sciences cluster centred around St Mary’s Hospital in Paddington. This report is the first publication from its social value working group.

Future-proofing the life science workforce

The UK’s life sciences sector has long been recognised as a key area of national strength, delivering both health and economic benefits. Paddington is named as one of MedCity’s innovation hubs in London and roughly 5,000 people are employed in life sciences roles.

Despite these strengths, the UK’s life sciences sector is under increasing pressure to develop a workforce that can respond to the shifts in required skill mix to capitalise on emerging industries and continue to differentiate itself from competitor markets.

Dr Elizabeth Bennett, strategy, research and innovation programme manager, who co-authored the report said: “We need to make sure our life sciences’ partners have the skilled workforce they need to innovate and grow, while at the same time benefitting our local communities by making sure that pathways to careers in life sciences are well understood and accessible.

“We are grateful to all our partners who contributed to this report, which aims to strengthen the UK life sciences skills base, and chart a course to establish a diverse and inclusive life sciences workforce.”

From March to July 2024, Bloomberg Associates and Paddington Life Sciences Partners undertook a series of interviews to understand skills needs across the sector and potential pathways for local residents to gain entry to careers in life sciences.

Findings from partner interviews highlighted that demand for talent is concentrated in growth occupations, for example, data analysts and software engineers; and chronically hard to fill roles, for example, pharmacy technician, radiographer, and regulatory affairs associate.

Employment opportunities for local residents

This report also aims to support Paddington Life Sciences Partners to understand what we can do to provide the local population with access to high quality jobs in the life sciences sector, while meeting skill needs.

There is a significant need for access to high quality work in Paddington, and the life science sector in particular, is well-positioned over the next few years to provide significant employment opportunities for local residents.

An organisation taking part in the interview, said: “In order to really be supported by the community, it can’t just be people from outside commuting in and out of the jobs that are created. Local residents need to see the opportunity that it creates for them and have ways to realise those opportunities.”

The report states that while there are a number of routes to join the UK life sciences sector, these are not always known or accessible to the priority communities. Several of the high priority roles have career pathway options for local residents who are A levels and below, providing excellent opportunities for priority communities within the Paddington area.

Recommendations

The report makes several recommendations, including:

•  Increase awareness and interest in life sciences careers to showcase the breadth of positions and increase the connection points between employers and candidates.
•  Develop and maintain strategies that support diversity through best practices sharing and supporting industry wide initiatives to increase diversity of talent at all levels.
•  Launch a targeted training-supported campaign to develop a talent pipeline for high priority occupations by publicising strategic training offerings that lead to life sciences “feeder” positions.

Dr Suki Balendra, director of strategic partnerships for Paddington Life Sciences, said:

“The life science sector has a transformative opportunity over the next few years if it works collaboratively. The production of the report was made possible through a collaborative approach from key stakeholders across the life sciences sector.”

I would like to thank each of our partners who participated in the skills mapping interviews: Brockton Everlast, Derwent, Healthcare Central London, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Microsoft, Optum, Oracle, Takeda and Vertex.”

Read the full report and recommendations to understand the skills and talent needs required across the life sciences business landscape in Paddington.