Almac Group Invests in Future Employees through Apprenticeship Schemes

Craigavon, N.I., 17^th September 2019 – Almac Group, the Craigavon based global pharmaceutical contract and manufacturing company, has concentrated efforts to encourage young people to continue further studies of STEM related subjects through its dedicated outreach strategy.

As part of its commitment the company is continuing to invest in its employees’ futures through funding and supporting Higher Level Apprenticeships (HLA) in both analytical chemistry and computing. Over the past four years, a team of experts, from various departments across the Almac Group, has worked closely with the Southern Regional College (SRC) to contribute valuable industry input to its HLA curriculum and help shape their popular and beneficial ‘earn as you learn’ programs.

This year Almac is celebrating the recent success of its first HLA Graduates of the Applied Industrial Sciences (Chemical Sciences Pathway) program – a two-year, part-time course which commenced in 2016.  Students Maura Donnelly from Coalisland & Michelle McKinstry from Lisnadill, Armagh, are both employed as Analytical Apprentices at Almac’s global Headquarters in Craigavon.  Throughout the course they worked four days a week and used their enhanced understanding of theoretical techniques drawn from their studies to better develop and troubleshoot methods for Almac’s global clients.

Maura was also recognized for excelling in her studies by being awarded this year’s BT Award for Excellence.  This prestigious prize is awarded to the student who is studying a course with a blended learning aspect and has worked consistently and enthusiastically throughout the duration of the course.  

Dr Frances Weldon, STEM Outreach Manager, Almac said: “The content covered in the HLA courses is highly relevant to the work performed within many parts of Almac and our Higher Level Apprentices benefit greatly from the additional workplace learning and mentorship they receive in techniques and sector-specific practices as part of their training.

“We are only too proud to have been involved in the development of high quality career pathways in both computing and chemical sciences and to have the students work with us as Apprentices during their studies. As a company, we benefit greatly from the increased knowledge and applied learning introduced to the business, whilst enabling the students and graduates to progress and develop their own career from within. Well done to Michelle and Maura on their achievements and we wish them the best for the next stage of their education.”

Both Maura and Michelle now progress to Level 8 – BSc Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences at Ulster University.

ENDS

Photo caption: L-R:– Tanya Graham, Analytical Manager, Almac, Michelle McKinstry, Maura Donnelly & Ann Heslip, Analytical Technical Leader at Almac.

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, 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 5600 highly skilled personnel across 18 facilities including Europe, the US and Asia.

The company has a global reputation for excellence built over 50 years of client service, delivering expertise right across the drug development lifecycle and offering a tailored solution to each of our clients.

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