Advanced medicines manufacturing in the UK is grappling with a significant skills shortage, with too few young professionals entering the sector, according to Ivan Wall, Professor of Regenerative Medicine at University of Birmingham and co-director of RESILIENCE: UK Medicines Manufacturing Skills Centre of Excellence.

A report by Lightcast estimates that the industry will require 7,000 new roles and 75,000 replacement workers over the next decade. While the UK remains a global leader in pioneering treatments such as gene and cell therapies that address previously untreatable rare diseases, manufacturing capacity has not kept pace with scientific innovation.

To tackle this gap, RESILIENCE is deploying virtual reality training to attract, educate and prepare the next generation of manufacturing professionals. Trainees using VR have demonstrated a 30 to 40 percent improvement in competency test scores compared with those undergoing conventional training methods.

So far, the programme has conducted 3,000 virtual training runs focused on setting up single-use bioreactors, preventing approximately 30 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. More than 13,000 individuals have experienced advanced manufacturing environments through the VR platform, contributing both to workforce development and sustainability goals.

The virtual environment is an exact replica of one of the UK’s most advanced manufacturing facilities. It enables procedural training for critical operations within Good Manufacturing Practice cleanrooms without the safety risks, access limitations or environmental costs associated with physical facilities.

Trainees can practice essential activities such as gowning and cleaning, as well as operate complex laboratory systems like bioreactors used for cell expansion and biological production. The on-demand, repeatable and standardised nature of VR training ensures consistency across locations and removes constraints related to cleanroom access.

However, Wall emphasized that technical expertise alone is insufficient. Employers increasingly value soft skills such as communication, teamwork and leadership. Research highlighted by Harvard Business Review underscores the importance of interpersonal capabilities in achieving professional success. As advanced medicines manufacturing evolves, building both technical competence and collaborative skills will be critical to sustaining the sector’s growth.