A new £200,000 National MedTech Skills Academy will be created in Leeds in a push to develop skills in the medical technologies sector.

As part of a £6.1 million investment from Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE), Bradford College will work with educational institutions and medtech companies in Leeds.

The project will be led by the University of Leeds and will be supported by an industrial advisory group to help identify the key skills needed at all levels.

The Academy, which includes Leeds Beckett University and Bradford College, builds on the Leeds Academic Health Partnership and the Translate: Medical Technologies partnership.

The National MedTech Skills Academy will utilise a range of development programmes including:

• An intensive graduate development programme to improve industry readiness, complemented by ongoing professional development for graduates entering the MedTech sector.
• An enhanced internship and placement scheme, working with Leeds’ outstanding digital learning provision to offer online resources to support students during their time in industry.
• The provision of new courses to encourage students from a wide range of STEM disciplines to consider a career in the MedTech sector.
• Industry-led multidisciplinary projects that will bring engineers, product designers, scientists, medical and business students together to stimulate innovation.
• The formation of a regional talent ‘pipeline’, through the more active promotion of the sector and job opportunities amongst young people and a feasibility study into the development of educational provision for mid-level technical professionals.

Richard Thomas, provost of University Centre Bradford College, said: “New medical technologies are a critical aspect of the provision of healthcare in the UK and Bradford College is pleased to be playing a role in this project, working with our university, NHS and industry partners to develop a skills provision which will underpin the development and implementation of these new technologies in our healthcare system.”

Alan Langlands, vice-chancellor of the University of Leeds, said: “The National MedTech Skills Academy is a fine example of collaboration between universities, the NHS and industry. It is determined to develop the skills required to ensure that the Leeds City Region and the UK as a whole remains at the leading edge of research, innovation and the application of medical technologies for patient benefit.

“The catalyst funding from HEFCE recognises that the University of Leeds is a key player in this field, and is an important step in establishing a secure base for the development of new medical technologies.”

HEFCE chief executive, professor Madeleine Atkins, said: “This investment represents important support for the government’s Industrial Strategy. The funding will provide new courses and vital skill developments in key industrial sectors across the country, from which students, the workforce and employers all stand to benefit.”