12 January 2017
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
- Over 85,000 currently employed in sectors
- Sectors collectively account for approx. 70% of Irish goods exports
- Biopharma sector to generate a further 8,400 jobs by 2020
- Medtech has created nearly 3,000 jobs in recent years and set to expand further
BioPharmaChem Ireland (BPCI) and the Irish Medtech Association, the Ibec groups representing the biopharmaceutical and medtech sectors in Ireland, said the continued rise in students participating in the BT Young Scientist underscores interest and opportunities in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) careers. Over 4,500 students will participate in this year’s event.
While medtech has seen steady annual jobs growth with nearly 3,000 jobs added in recent years, biopharma will see a new wave of jobs growth with 8,400 jobs to be added by 2020. The Ibec groups are set to highlight career opportunities to the 50,000 visitors at the BTYS with companies Eli Lilly, DePuy Synthes and Cook Medical demonstrating some of their innovative products at the event.
Director of BioPharmaChem Ireland Matt Moran said: “The sector has been a major driver of export growth, with the latest figures at €55 billion accounting for 58% of Irish goods exports. With investment of more than €4 billion in the past couple of years, we’re now preparing for a rapid and substantial increase in job creation with as many as 8,400 jobs to be added by 2020. We’re delighted to be back at the BT Young Scientist with the Irish Medtech Association to promote STEM careers as well as highlight exciting career opportunities. We couldn’t do this without the support from Eli Lilly which does an incredible job of showcasing how student entries lead to meaningful careers in the sector, or the Royal Society of Chemistry which will give students the chance to get a hands on experience of science at the bench. Events like this are really important for Ireland. As a major hub of investment and global growth, maintaining the talent pipeline lies at the heart of our growth strategy.”
Director of the Irish Medtech Association Sinead Keogh said: “Manufacturing is the second largest employer in Ireland at 220,000, with 30,000 working in medtech and related roles in polymer technology as well as 55,000 people working directly and indirectly in the biopharma, pharma and chemical industries these industries which account for as much as 40% of manufacturing jobs. Moreover, Ireland is the second largest employer of medtech professionals in Europe. While some sectors focus on big cities and foreign direct investment, medtech is incomparable in Ireland as a creator of highly skilled jobs and dynamic startups across the country with €749 million in investments publicly announced since 2014. This is good news for the 4,591 students who entered the BT Young Scientist from across Ireland this year who want to pursue their passion for STEM either internationally, or locally when they graduate. We’re thrilled to be joined at the exhibition by Cook Medical and DePuy Synthes which have sites in Limerick and Cork as well as around the world to give students an insight into the medtech sector which already boasts 500,000 different types of medtech products on the market.”
“2017 also marks a new phase of growth for our sectors working together to deliver new innovative patient care and exciting technologies. The Irish Medtech Association, BioPharmaChem Ireland, ICT Ireland and the Irish Software Association secured approval from Skillnet for an Internet of Medical Things Skillnet to explore the educational needs for this emerging area and develop a strategy for the future. For a generation which grew up with smart phones and other devices, there is no other area that will provide the same career prospects with a chance to deliver meaningful change by revolutionising modern healthcare.”
