THE region’s growing life sciences sector is paving the way for thousands of jobs over the next decade, according to a new skills report.
Produced by employer-led local skills group The Science Industry Partnership (SIP) West Midlands, together with Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) – which includes Redditch – it reveals that:
The life sciences sector employs 17,320 in the West Midlands
The life sciences sector in the region contributes £6.49bn to the UK economy
Up to 9,937 new and replacement life sciences jobs will be needed within the region by 2030
Value added per employee (a measure of productivity) is significantly higher than regional average
In all 62 per cent of employees within hold a degree or equivalent level qualification (Levels 6 and 7+)
As large sections of the UK economy aim to bounce back from the coronavirus pandemic, businesses in the growing health and medical technologies sector are set to lead the way with the creation of thousands of highly-skilled, productive and well-paid jobs.
As a sector known for its ability to compete and innovate on a global scale, many of those job roles will require new and emerging skills as employers seek to attract the very best talent.
Against this backdrop of anticipated future demand for science, technology, engineering and maths talents, employer-led skills group SIP West Midlands, which officially launched this month, will bring together businesses, skills providers and key local stakeholders to identify and resolve skills challenges and make recommendations for change.