The Advanced Therapies Apprenticeship Community (ATAC), a programme coordinated by the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT Catapult), has supported 100 apprentices to successfully complete their courses.
Since welcoming its first apprentice in 2018, ATAC has been a pioneer in addressing the critical skills gap in the cell and gene therapy industry. With the support of industry leaders, academic institutions, and the CGT Catapult, ATAC has grown into a vital programme for nurturing the next generation of talent. To date, ATAC has successfully placed over 360 apprentices across 59 organisations, contributing to the sector's growth and innovation.
The ATAC programme is open to a diverse range of participants, from recent school leavers embarking on their careers, to professionals, including senior managers and directors looking to enhance their expertise.
“Huge congratulations to the 100 apprentices who have completed their apprenticeships with ATAC. Your contribution to the advanced therapies sector in the UK is invaluable. Through your apprenticeship and your future career, you will help the industry continue to grow, innovate, and ensure cell and gene therapies reach the patients who need them. A big thank you to all of the companies, institutions and individuals who continue drive ATAC forward to make the programme even more accessible for the future.”
Stephen Ward, Chief Technology Officer at the CGT Catapult
“My apprenticeship gave me my career path and the chance to attend university, which I’d thought I’d never be able to do. It is such an important part of my life and I’ve enjoyed every day of it!”
Lauren Beasley, ATAC's 100th graduate
“As a lecturer in Applied Biology at the Apprenticeship Centre, I am actively involved in collaborating with the CGT Catapult to develop an innovative programme that meets the evolving needs of the fast-developing advanced therapeutics industry. CGT Catapult is excellent at promoting advanced therapies apprenticeship programmes, enrolling new employers and apprentices, and ensuring that apprentices receive the essential training and experience necessary to build successful careers in this field. Being part of the ATAC community greatly enhances my networking opportunities, and I always look forward to participating in ATAC-led events, which bring fresh and valuable perspectives for developing and delivering a successful apprenticeship degree programme.”
Nadia Kolotova-Levine, ATMP Programme Lead at University of Kent
“Apprenticeships are a fantastic opportunity for employers, at Pharmaron. I believe they help keep employees motivated and committed long-term, as they help develop their skills over several years, during this time we have found they really settle into the role, become part of the team, and understand the business, while also studying for their apprenticeship. The range of different levels offered through ATAC enables apprentices to be able to see a clear development pathway available to them. I believe the ATAC programme is what makes the apprenticeships standout from others, the abilities for the apprentices to come together as a cohort and start to build their professional network early, combined with the company visits from others in the cohort. This is an amazing opportunity for apprentices to visit sites and experience different ways of working, which can then be brought back to their place of work.”
Rob Olliver, Director of the Process Sciences Team at Pharmaron