Manufacturing in Scotland: Pharma leading the way
The pharmaceutical sector in Scotland is a powerhouse of economic activity and job creation, contributing significantly to the region's prosperity. With companies like Kelso Pharma leading the charge, the sector not only bolsters the economy but also provides a wealth of opportunities for job seekers.
The manufacturing of pharmaceuticals alone injects nearly £1.5 billion in Gross Value Added (GVA) into the Scottish economy, supporting around 11,350 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs. When considering the wider pharmaceuticals industry, including research and development (R&D) and medical sales, this contribution rises to over £1.7 billion in GVA, supporting almost 15,000 FTE jobs. Furthermore, the broader Life Sciences sector, which encompasses pharmaceuticals, contributes just under £3.4 billion in GVA and supports over 38,000 FTE jobs. These figures underscore the sector's vital role in Scotland's economic landscape.
Job creation in the pharmaceutical sector is robust, with each job in manufacturing supporting an additional 1.7 jobs elsewhere in the economy. This multiplier effect highlights the sector's capacity to generate employment opportunities beyond its immediate scope. However, the sector faces a challenge in attracting enough graduates from STEM fields to meet its high-skill job demands. Fortunately, Scotland boasts a high number of higher education students enrolled in STEM-related subjects, providing a pipeline of potential talent.
Regionally, the pharmaceutical sector's impact is felt across Scotland, with significant employment in areas like the Highlands and North Ayrshire. This distribution supports productivity and economic activity outside major cities, contributing to regional development and social outcomes. The sector's focus on innovation and entrepreneurship is evident, with a 40% increase in the number of pharmaceutical manufacturing businesses since 2010.
As the sector evolves, the integration of technologies such as AI and automation will likely create new job opportunities, particularly in technology development and deployment. Moreover, the sector's role in improving long-term health outcomes and providing high-skilled, high-paid jobs in deprived areas further solidifies its importance.
For job seekers looking to enter manufacturing, s1jobs offers a wide range of opportunities. If you're a recent graduate, we've made your job search in Scotland easier by collecting Graduate jobs together for you to review: https://www.s1jobs.com/jobs/apprenticeship-and-graduate/. If you're an experienced professional, biotech and life science jobs can be viewed here https://www.s1jobs.com/jobs/biotechnology-life-sciences/ whereas Manufacturing jobs are here https://www.s1jobs.com/jobs/production-manufacturing/.
