National skills standards to support pharmaceutical bioprocessing techniques have been endorsed by the Australian Industry and Skills Committee and State and Territory Ministers.

Many life-saving and enhancing medical treatments are made using pharmaceutical bioprocessing techniques. Pharmaceutical companies are also playing a key role in the COVID-19 pandemic by developing potential tests, treatments and vaccines.

It is important manufacturers are equipped with all the expertise they may require, including the unique skills used in producing and distributing products made using pharmaceutical bioprocessing techniques.

Thanks to the efforts of everyone who contributed to this project, nine units of competency have been updated to describe the necessary skills. The units are published on the training.gov.au website within the FBP Food, Beverage and Pharmaceutical Training Package and are available for use by registered training organisations (RTOs).

For further information visit the project webpage.

Bioprocessing skills are an essential and growing part of the pharmaceutical industry… The recent pandemic crisis has underlined this need, not just globally but within Australia, for increased pharmaceutical manufacturing capacity in order for the country to meet current and future needs more self-sufficiently. I therefore wholeheartedly support the endorsement of the Bioprocessing Technologies training units.

– Dr Paul MacLeman, foundational Chair of the Pharmaceutical Industry Reference Committee and Chairman of AdAlta Ltd