Advanced Therapies Apprenticeship Community (ATAC)

About ATAC

The double award winning Advanced Therapies Apprenticeship Community (ATAC) is the first apprenticeship programme designed specifically to train and upskill individuals in developing, manufacturing and delivering innovative therapies at scale.

What does ATAC do?

ATAC works with apprentices, employers and training providers to support industry-focused apprenticeships in advanced therapies, complex medicines and wider medicines manufacturing.

1. Consult. We work with organisations across medicines manufacturing to identify industry need and bridge skills gaps.
2. Design. We work with training providers to design specialist pathways and modular content to meet industry needs.
3. Attract. We raise the profile of the sector to attract talented individuals and ensure a pipeline of talent to fill job vacancies for employers.
4. Advise. We provide valuable advice to employers and their apprentices pre-programme, whilst on programme and afterwards.
5. Enrich. We draw on our network of employers and support to deliver a programme of enrichment activities to enhance the on-programme experience for apprentices and their managers.

Why Skills Matter in Advanced Therapies and Complex Medicines

Advanced therapies and complex medicines offer the potential to transform the treatment of serious and previously untreatable conditions. By targeting the root causes of disease, these therapies can significantly improve patient outcomes where traditional pharmaceuticals fall short. The UK is positioned at the forefront of this disruptive field, with a unique opportunity to build a globally competitive industry that delivers both health benefits and economic growth.

The success of the medicines manufacturing industry relies on a workforce equipped with the right skills to develop, manufacture, and deliver these innovative therapies. As the sector matures and moves closer to large-scale manufacturing and wider spread patient delivery, demand for specialist skills is growing rapidly. However, the supply of individuals with the required expertise struggles to keep pace, creating a significant skills gap. This shortage is making it increasingly difficult for companies to recruit and retain talent, ultimately limiting the industry’s ability to grow and scale.

Responding to Industry Needs Through Strategic Skills Initiatives

Research by the Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT Catapult) highlights the critical skills required for industry to adopt emerging technologies and strengthen collaboration with education and training systems. Workforce forecasting and foresighting research show that companies face significant barriers in areas such as manufacturing, quality control, and digital automation, all of which demand targeted upskilling across the sector.

To address these challenges, CGT Catapult delivers targeted skills programmes, including ATAC, in partnership with industry, academia, and technology providers.

Read more about anticipated industry growth and skills needs in the UK Cell and Gene Therapy Skills Demand Report 2023 and Innovate UK’s Workforce Foresighting Report on Digitalisation and Automation for Cell and Gene Therapy. While these reports focus on cell and gene therapies, similar trends are expected across other innovative medicine types.

History of ATAC

From Taskforce Recommendation to National Programme

Launched in 2018 with £1.5 million in funding from the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund, ATAC was created in response to industry recommendations from the Advanced Therapies Manufacturing Taskforce. Its mission was to develop a sustainable pipeline of skilled professionals, from manufacturing operatives to technical specialists and researchers, to support the growth of the UK’s advanced therapies manufacturing sector.

A further £0.5 million was awarded in 2021 to expand the initiative in follow-on funding was secured in 2021 to continue this vital work. Building on ATAC’s success, CGT Catapult secured an additional £4.7 million to launch the Advanced Therapies Skills Training Network (ATSTN), which has since evolved into the Life Sciences Learner Hub. This programme supports professional development for those new to the broader medicines manufacturing landscape, as well as those currently working within in it.

Recognised Excellence and Industry Impact

In 2022, ATAC received two prestigious awards: the Princess Royal Training Award and the BioIndustry Association (BIA) Richard Wilson Impact Award — the latter voted for by industry peers. These awards reflect the commitment of pioneering employers, funders, and the amazing apprentices themselves. So far the programme has supported almost 400 apprentices and collaborated with over 60 UK employers to support apprenticeships across 23 programmes.

Looking Ahead: Scaling Talent for the Future of Medicine

Today, we collaborate closely with industry as a strategic partner, co-developing apprenticeship standards and continuing professional development (CPD) programmes across gene and cell therapies, vaccines, biologics, RNA, and oligonucleotides. RNA and oligonucleotide therapies represent emerging therapeutic modalities that allow for precise gene expression targeting and regulation, paving the way for novel treatments for genetic disorders, cancer, and infectious diseases.

To find out more about ATAC apprenticeships, visit advancedtherapiesapprenticeships.co.uk or email apprenticeshipsinfo@ct.catapult.org.uk.