The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult achieves Princess Royal Training Award standard

The Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult (CGT Catapult) is pleased to announce it has formally received the Princess Royal Training Award standard, first announced in August, in recognition of its work in partnership with the UK cell and gene therapy sector. The award was presented earlier today by HRH The Princess Royal and collected on behalf of CGT Catapult, by Dr Stephen Ward, Chief Manufacturing Officer.

The ‘Princess Royal Training Award’ celebrates UK employers whose training and skills development programmes have resulted in exceptional benefits for their business and follows the wider training industry recognition that CGT Catapult Skills community programmes have received. This includes the positive impact the Advanced Therapies Apprenticeship Community (ATAC) and Advanced Therapy Skills and Training Network (ATSTN) are having on learners and organisations across the wider advanced therapy community, including within CGT Catapult. The achievement of the prestigious training standard also comes in the wake of the Richard Wilson Impact award being given to the ATAC programme, which is run by CGT Catapult.

CGT Catapult and skills collaborations are having a significant impact on the capability, capacity and sustainability of the sector’s workforce, which is being achieved by engaging with stakeholders in growing the skill sets and future talent pipeline for UK employers. The 2021 Skills Demand Survey anticipated growth in CGT bioindustry roles of 151% between 2021 & 2026, and the need to support key roles and skills gaps in manufacturing, supply chain and logistics, process development and total quality.

Both awards are a testament to the work of everyone who has contributed to the success of the ATAC and ATSTN programmes, Innovate UK, BEIS and the many employers who have supported these programmes.

Matthew Durdy, CEO of CGT Catapult, said:

“Achieving the prestigious PRTA standard is a great example of the impact ATAC and ATSTN, and the work of the wider skills sector, are having on communities across the UK. It is crucial local and national training and development pipelines are able to support the sector with the talent it needs, while offering new and existing employees a lifetime of opportunity in a growing industry”.

PRTA & HRH The Princess Royal:

HRH The Princess Royal, President of City & Guilds, awards employers with outstanding training and skills development programmes which have been proven to have significant positive impact on their business or their staff.