The Canadian Advanced Therapies Training Institute (CATTI) and the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT Catapult) have developed an aligned training and assessment strategy for the advanced therapies manufacturing industry. The strategy is an important first step towards developing shared standards that will help the growing industry to access a skilled workforce.
The manufacturing of advanced therapies is carried out by highly trained personnel who are certified to work according to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and in aseptic conditions. The training and assessment for these personnel currently varies around the world, making it more difficult for the workforce to relocate and for the industry to access global talent.
CATTI and the CGT Catapult entered into a collaboration in 2023 with the aim of increasing levels of standardisation in the training and assessment standards used in Canada and the UK. The organisations have since aligned training materials and programmes, and outlined a joint strategy that sets out the specific skills and competencies that should be assessed. This will result in a rigorous template that can be applied across all manufacturing training materials and at various skill levels.
“This partnership marks a crucial step towards ensuring that our workforce is equipped with the highest level of expertise to meet industry demands. By setting these international standards, we aim to enhance the quality and safety of advanced therapies, ultimately benefiting patients worldwide.”
Vanessa Laflamme, CEO of CATTI
“By sharing expertise and working with CATTI, a leading provider of training for the advanced therapies industry, we have a valuable opportunity to enhance and standardise the training available to organisations and individuals. This builds on the efforts of the CGT Catapult to date, and the investment we have made, alongside government, in developing a successful training programme for the UK workforce. Together, we aim to ensure that our growing global sector is supported by a highly skilled workforce equipped with the latest knowledge and skills.”
Matthew Durdy, chief executive at the CGT Catapult