Dundee has become a world leader in life sciences

PEOPLE AND SKILLS: Changing industry

Long gone are the days when Dundee was famous for ‘jute, jam and journalism and’ so to the history books they now remain. Of course, we still have DC Thomson’s infamous cartoons – Dennis the Menace, the Broons and many more.

In their place comes some of the most exciting and innovative game changers for the local economy in Dundee and Tayside - and of course further afield – one of which is the life sciences.

Who would have thought Dundee could be the home to one of the most exciting life science clusters in the UK, with world-class companies, two universities and research institutes all settled here in the city, bringing with them pioneering specialised research centres.

Approximately 20% of the life sciences companies in Scotland are based in or around Dundee, making the city a major player in the world’s life sciences industry.

Dundee’s medical research at the University of Dundee with its revolutionary image digitisation is now world famous. In addition, Dundee & Angus College offers customised training courses for the life sciences sector and have honed the needs of primarily younger people who wish to enter this sector albeit these courses are available for all ages.

The malaria work at the University of Dundee had a major breakthrough in 2016 which has become part of an international effort to cure malaria. The university is an established, worldleading institution for research in science, technology, mathematics and medicine.

The Research Excellence Framework 2014 (REF 2014), the main test of academic research quality in the UK, placed the university first in Biological Sciences and leading in Impact in Clinical Medicine.

From keyhole surgery and drug discoveries to ag-biotech and environmental biotechnology - all are making an impact both in Dundee and world-wide.

With the political landscape ever changing and less migration expected post Brexit, employers across Scotland have voiced their concerns particularly across the low or semi-skilled jobs which are not being filled by the indigenous workforce. A number of business have already stated the number of EU nationals has decreased since Brexit although I have seen a slight increase.

For Dundee and Tayside however given the breadth of careers available within the life sciences and the work already being done by D& A College and the two local universities, the future for young people coming out of schools, college and university have a variety of great opportunities ahead of them to help support them as individuals and the respective employing organisations.

As the employment level within the life sciences sector has almost doubled since 2002 to more than 4000 local employees, life sciences employers must continue to engage and collaborate with the educational establishments to ensure success with home grown skilled employees going forward.

With 25 core life sciences companies in Dundee, there is a real opportunity to further develop their workforce which in turn will continue to add strength to Dundee and the local economy.

The City of Discovery is truly aptly named and a city we should all be proud of.

Life sciences employers must continue to engage and collaborate