Jennifer Lynch
Project Executive, BioPharmaChem Ireland
Apprenticeships are quickly becoming a popular route for those interested in STEM roles.
STEM related occupations are some of the fastest growing industries in Ireland. According to the CSO Figures, there are 117,800 people working in roles that require STEM skills, so ensuring there are accessible pathways into these roles is more important than ever.
Increasing interest in apprenticeships
The number of female apprentices in Ireland has increased from just 26 women in 2015 to 1,500 in 2022. There are over 60 apprenticeship programmes to choose from, including the area of STEM. With qualifications ranging from certificate to PhD level, the number of women who are choosing apprenticeship as a career path is significantly increasing year on year.
The laboratory apprenticeship is one of the newer pathways for candidates hoping to start a science career in the biopharmaceutical sector. This program has seen a high level of female applicants since launching back in September 2018 and provides women with an unrivalled opportunity to gain an excellent qualification while also having hands-on practical experience in a real-life lab setting.
The number of female apprentices in Ireland has increased from just 26 women in 2015 to 1,500 in 2022.
Real-life experience
We recently spoke to Jasmine O’Brien, an apprentice working with Takeda Ireland. She describes her experience as very positive so far: “I am really enjoying the lab apprenticeship program as the learning we do is put into work experience in a pharmaceutical lab and will be very beneficial for our future. The academic part of the program is made easier by getting the knowledge of the topics in the work environment and vice versa. The earn as you learn aspect is also very helpful.”
The laboratory apprenticeship program not only offers opportunities within the biopharmaceutical sector, but also medical devices and diagnostics, chemical manufacturing, independent testing labs and the food and drink sector.
With apprenticeships also available in manufacturing, engineering and technology, there has been a huge increase in options for women starting a career in STEM or returning to the workplace.