Qualifications developed to plug six-figure job gap
The two qualification will teach skills in medical technology
New qualifications have been devised in the West Midlands in a bid to plug an estimated 145,000 skills gap in medical technology.
Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) will support people into in-demand jobs ranging from technicians working on AI-enabled health devices like wearable tech, imaging or diagnostic tools, to regulatory advisors.
The qualifications can be taught by colleges, private training providers, and universities and have been developed in a partnership between West Midlands Combined Authority, Skills England and learning company Pearson as well as employers.
The Association of British HealthTech Industries has estimated that an extra 70,000 jobs will be needed by 2035 to meet demand across the sector, alongside 75,000 replacements for those leaving the workforce.
More than 14,000 people work in the sector across the UK, with the West Midlands boasting innovation hubs including Birmingham Health Innovation Campus, Birmingham Knowledge Quarter, Arden Cross and West Midlands Health-Tech Accelerator.
The two new qualifications are being piloted with funding from the West Midlands Investment Zone.
They cover levels 4 and 5 – sitting between A Levels and T Levels, (level 3), and degrees (levels 6 and 7).
Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “MedTech is one of the fastest growing sectors in the West Midlands economy, which is why it plays a big role in my Growth Plan.
“We’ve got the UK’s largest MedTech cluster, plus even more high-quality jobs coming to Birmingham Knowledge Quarter, so it’s essential that we ensure local people can gain the skills they need to work in this sector, and the opportunities to get a foot in the door.”
Freya Thomas Monk, Managing Director of Pearson Qualifications, said: “Our new qualifications equip learners with the skills and confidence to succeed in the MedTech industry.
“They go beyond theory, delivering practical, sector-specific knowledge and skills that reflect real job roles, new technologies, and employers’ needs.
“Created in partnership with the West Midlands Combined Authority and local businesses, these qualifications provide clear progression pathways, helping learners plan their next steps while gaining the knowledge and expertise to adapt and thrive in one of the UK’s fastest-growing sectors.”
And Phil Smith, chair of Skills England, added: “MedTech is the future. Filling skills gaps for this fast-growing sector, through these new qualifications, will be a really practical way of supporting the NHS through boosting productivity.
“It’s a fantastic example of how national and regional government can work with employers and the education sector to rapidly respond to skills needs in growth sectors.”