Health & Life Sciences: Career pathways for shortage roles

Pathway to Quality Assurance

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Quality Assurance officers and managers are identified as a critical skills shortage across the UK, as well as in the North East. In addition to recruitment of new staff, development of Quality Assurance talent for your business can come from existing lab or engineering teams and can provide a valued career progression opportunity.

The skills framework below suggests pathways employers can use to grow their own talent utilising apprenticeship and technical education provision and funding, and specialist education and training provision available in our region.

Links to information on providers of this education and training are included below. * These routes are based upon approaches already successful applied by some employers in our region. 

Essential criteria

Degree (or equivalent) in science related discipline, or significant relevant science industry experience
At least two years science industry experience within laboratory, production or quality assurance
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Ability to work well in teams or independently, able to prioritise work, manage multiple projects while maintaining quality and advocate for compliance
Diplomatic individual who is detail oriented with ability to critically assess and analyse data

Desired criteria

2 years of applied Quality Assurance experience in the pharmaceutical industry; demonstrable knowledge of applicable regulatory requirements
Leadership experience
Good problem solving and negotiation skills
Flexible and proactive approach

Local providers

Find local providers who can support you to train and recruit this role from entry level.

T Level – Science

Find a provider

Level 4 Quality Practitioner apprenticeship 

Find a provider

Level 4 Regulatory Compliance Officer Apprenticeship

Find a provider

Further relevant courses

Durham University

Newcastle University

Northumbria University

Credersi Contact: 

British Standards Institution (BSI) 

Sunderland University

Teesside University

  • shls-enquiries@tees.ac.uk
  • shlsadmissions@tees.ac.uk

 

Useful contacts

Free support for SMEs to help develop and upskill their workforce, via the Education Development Trust.

Find support to help businesses grow and adapt their work force on the North East Growth Hub.

Find data and analysis about the North East economy on the North East Evidence Hub.

Create strong links with the next generation of employees, via North East Ambition.

* Apprenticeship provider information is based on those providers currently registered as able to deliver this apprenticeship standard on the gov.uk website. Degree and other relevant provision listed was collected through the North East LEP life sciences skills group in November 2022. For the most up to date information on education and training provision available please contact the providers directly using the details provided.