Minister James Lawless Launches New Industry-Led Apprenticeship to Meet Ireland's Growing Demand for Biopharmaceutical Talent
Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, has launched a new apprenticeship programme at TU Dublin today to address skills gaps in Ireland's rapidly expanding biopharmaceutical sector.
The Higher Certificate in Science – Bio Process, Chemical Process Technician apprenticeship for the BioPharma Industry has been developed by BioPharmaChem Ireland in partnership with the School of Chemical and BioPharmaceutical Sciences at TU Dublin. The launch comes as employment in Ireland's biopharmaceutical sector has grown by more than 60% between 2016 and 2022, highlighting sustained demand for highly skilled workers.
The two-year, Level 6 apprenticeship combines academic study with structured paid workplace learning, providing apprentices with the scientific knowledge, technical expertise and practical experience required for careers in regulated biopharmaceutical manufacturing.
The programme has been developed by an industry-led consortium led by BioPharmaChem Ireland over the past two years to ensure it meets the evolving needs of employers and supports Ireland's ambition to remain a global leader in life sciences. It also delivers on recommendations from the Expert Group on Future Skills Needs report, Skills for Biopharma, which identified apprenticeships as a key mechanism for addressing workforce shortages and creating new entry pathways into the sector.
Speaking at the launch, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science of Ireland James Lawless, said:
"This apprenticeship is about creating opportunities. It gives people a new pathway into a sector that is helping to shape the future of manufacturing and healthcare, while allowing them to earn, learn and build practical experience from day one.
"I'm particularly pleased to see the strong collaboration behind this programme, which has brought together employers, education providers and Government to respond to a real skills need and create new opportunities for learners."
Commenting on the launch, Marian Harkin TD, Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science said:
"The Biopharmaceutical sector is a cornerstone of the Irish economy, accounting for a large portion of our GDP and creating high-quality careers across the country. This new apprenticeship, the third available in the sector, is helping more people reach their potential and supporting the continued growth of Ireland’s biopharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing sectors. By fostering the development of highly skilled talent, this initiative will strengthen the long-term competitiveness of industry and reinforce Ireland’s position as a global leader in the sector."
Speaking ahead of the launch, Dr Deirdre Lillis, President of TU Dublin, said:
"Ireland's biopharmaceutical sector is one of the country's greatest economic success stories, employing around 50,000 people directly, with demand expected to grow by more than 21,000 additional jobs by 2027. Ireland's success has been built on strong collaboration between industry and technological higher education, and meeting future demand requires that partnership to grow even stronger.
At TU Dublin, we believe the best education is developed with employers, not simply for them. This apprenticeship reflects that commitment, combining academic excellence with workplace learning to equip apprentices with the skills employers need while strengthening Ireland's position as a global leader in life sciences."
Speaking on the launch, Siobhán Dean, Deputy Director of BioPharmaChem Ireland, said:
"This new bioprocess and chemical process technician programme bridges academia and industry seamlessly. It equips apprentices with the hands-on expertise employers need today while opening up exciting, accessible career paths into a high-growth sector. By working in partnership with TU Dublin, we are ensuring that our talent pipeline matches the evolving needs of our advanced manufacturing facilities across the country. The sector continues to attract significant investment, making the development of a highly skilled workforce essential to maintaining Ireland's international competitiveness.
The apprenticeship follows the successful rollout of BioPharmaChem Ireland's laboratory apprenticeship programmes, which have already seen more than 100 graduates enter the sector and currently support 140 apprentices across 60 companies.