Almac Group Continues HLA Scheme for Aspiring Scientists, Technologists and Engineers

On-the-job training program maximizes career development potential

Craigavon, Northern Ireland – 04 November 2020 – Almac Group, the global contract pharmaceutical development and manufacturing organization, is continuing its successful Higher-Level Apprenticeship (HLA) program enabling students to earn a salary whilst developing their experience, maximizing their career development potential and completing a structured program of tailored on-the-job training.

The multifaceted scheme offers HLAs in Applied Industrial Sciences (Chemical Sciences), Computing and Mechatronic Engineering giving access to key departments and globally respected experts across multiple disciplines.  Available for both existing and newly recruited employees, Almac’s program has been operating for the last five years and is delivered through the ApprenticeshipsNI program, in association with Southern Regional College (SRC).

To date, Almac’s intake has been extremely popular with over 30 HLAs being recruited in various departments by the global organization.  Apprentices who participate in the programs can work in a high-quality, customer focused, innovative environment and are fully supported by both an expert Almac mentor and a personally assigned assessor from SRC.

Almac’s HLA program illustrates a shift in the employment of apprenticeships by employers across the UK. While the total number of apprenticeships has been declining for several years, new schemes are being created to attract school leavers to highly technical roles or provide practical training for existing employees.

“The success of our business depends on having a diverse workforce of suitably trained and qualified staff,” said Dr Frances Weldon, STEM Outreach Manager, Almac Group. “Offering different pathways into the various opportunities available at Almac is a fundamental part of that and we have no doubt that the incorporation of apprenticeship programs to recruit staff into our labs, engineering and IS teams will mean we can grow a talent pipeline from within our organization.”

Michelle McKinstry graduated with a BSc Degree this summer having completed her HLA in Applied Industrial Sciences (Chemical Sciences) with Almac Sciences over the past 4 years.  Now employed full time as an Analytical Chemist, Michelle reflects on her pathway: “The HLA is a brilliant experience, challenging, but very rewarding and it has enabled me to earn while I learn, without paying any tuition fees or running up any student debt. I have developed new skills and increased my knowledge of the pharmaceutical industry. The experience I have gained has been invaluable and working at Almac has given me the confidence to progress and succeed in my chosen career path.”

For further information regarding the various HLA opportunities available at Almac visit almacgroup.com/careers/apprenticeships.

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About Almac Group

A unique culture delivering exceptional solutions

The Almac Group is an established contract development and manufacturing organization providing an extensive range of integrated services across the drug development lifecycle to the pharmaceutical and biotech sectors globally.

Its innovative services range from R&D, biomarker discovery development and commercialization, API manufacture, analytical services, formulation development, clinical trial supply, IRT (IVRS/IWRS) through to commercial-scale manufacture.

The international company is a privately owned organization which has grown organically over the past five decades now employing over 5,600 highly skilled personnel across 18 facilities including Europe, the US and Asia.

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