New Qualifications in MedTech to Tackle 145,000 Skills Shortage and Ease NHS Pressures

New Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) in MedTech will help fill critical skills gaps, with estimated 145,000 jobs needed by 2035 across the sector Qualifications will train technicians and regulatory advisors to work on cutting-edge AI-enabled health devices, wearable tech, imaging and diagnostic tools.

The Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) – which can be taught by colleges, private training providers, and universities – will support people into in-demand jobs ranging from technicians working on AI-enabled health devices like wearable tech, imaging or diagnostic tools, to regulatory advisors.

They were developed through an innovative partnership between government, via Skills England; lifelong learning company, Pearson; the West Midlands Combined Authority; and employers across that region, which is a MedTech powerhouse with over 700 businesses.

The qualifications are being launched in the wake of the government calling for more cutting-edge medical technology in the NHS to boost productivity and help cut waiting lists. The Association of British HealthTech Industries has estimated that an extra 70,000 jobs will be needed by 2035 to meet demand across the sector, alongside 75,000 replacements for those leaving the workforce.

Minister for Skills, Baroness Jacqui Smith, said: “MedTech is transforming healthcare and these new qualifications will make sure people have the skills they need for the jobs of the future. I’m proud to see the West Midlands leading the way – working directly with employers to deliver opportunities that meet real business needs. By closing critical skills gaps, we’re not only opening careers for thousands of people – we’re helping the NHS cut waiting lists and deliver better care through innovation.”

Health Innovation Minister, Dr Zubir Ahmed, said: “I’m excited to see these new qualifications help thousands of people into rewarding careers, supporting our UK MedTech sector to strengthen the NHS and cut waiting lists. Our Life Science Sector Plan set out the importance of supporting MedTech as an engine for growth, and skills development is fundamental to this. These qualifications demonstrate exactly the kind of innovative thinking we need to equip people with cutting-edge skills – addressing critical workforce shortages and supporting the future of NHS care and productivity.”

The West Midlands has considerable strengths in medical devices, diagnostics and associated digital healthcare, with the largest medical devices cluster in the UK, employing over 14,000 people and generating a combined turnover of £6bn.

The region is home to world leading innovation hubs including Birmingham Health Innovation Campus, Birmingham Knowledge Quarter, Arden Cross and West Midlands Health-Tech Accelerator.

To ensure that the two new qualifications support the growing skills needs of the employers who develop and produce medical technology products, West Midlands Combined Authority, Pearson and Skills England engaged with stakeholders drawn from business and enterprise communities; academia and educational providers; plus, representatives from the NHS.

The qualifications will support the government’s Industrial Strategy, which identifies life sciences as a cornerstone for long-term investment and innovation, and the West Midlands Growth Plan. They are being piloted with funding from the West Midlands Investment Zone.

They are designed to strengthen healthcare teams with in-demand technical expertise, equipping workers with an understanding of how digital systems, regulation and testing combine in practice. They cover levels 4 and 5 – sitting between A Levels and T Levels, (level 3), and degrees (levels 6 and 7).

The Government’s national skills agency, Skills England, was set up to make sure that the skills system is more responsive to changing economic demands at a local and national level, using data and intelligence to help shape provision. Its analysis of skills needs up to 2030 found that around two thirds of projected additional employment demand in priority occupations will require workers with a qualification at level 4 or above.

Phil Smith, chair of Skills England, said: “MedTech is the future. Filling skills gaps for this fast-growing sector, through these new qualifications, will be a really practical way of supporting the NHS through boosting productivity. It’s a fantastic example of how national and regional government can work with employers and the education sector to rapidly respond to skills needs in growth sectors. I would like to say a special thanks to businesses in the West Midlands for all their support on this vital project.”

Test Labs Perspective

To make these new Higher Technical Qualifications truly job-ready, the rollout should be paired with structured industry placements in accredited, real-world environments, including independent test laboratories and quality-led production settings. This is where classroom knowledge becomes regulator-proof behaviour: disciplined sample handling, chain-of-custody and traceability, study planning, data integrity, and a practical understanding of how testing, documentation and CAPA thinking fit together under scrutiny. In a sector where confidence matters as much as innovation, that hands-on exposure is what turns a qualification into deployable capability for MedTech businesses and, ultimately, for the NHS.

Jean-Louis Duprey, Head of R&D at startup ExGenDx, said: “As a Birmingham-based life sciences company, ExGenDx has been delighted to have supported the new, locally developed, MedTech HTQ. As a startup, we have long had the need for new employees to have a wide range of skills, from basic lab skills through to an understanding of the complex regulatory path required for medical devices. We believe that these new qualifications will greatly facilitate the expansion of health and medical technology research and development work here in the West Midlands, by providing a highly trained workface with ready-to-go experience.”

It’s also worth highlighting that the projected workforce demand isn’t only driven by new roles; a significant proportion comes from replacing experienced people leaving the sector. That distinction matters, because it speaks directly to continuity: the NHS and the MedTech supply chain can’t afford knowledge gaps in regulatory, technical and quality-critical roles just as demand for technology-enabled care accelerates. These qualifications therefore shouldn’t be viewed only as a pipeline for “future jobs”, but as a practical resilience measure, protecting capacity, reducing bottlenecks, and helping ensure innovation reaches patients without avoidable delays.

Disclaimer. The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Test Labs Limited. The content provided is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal or professional advice. Test Labs assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions in the content of this article, nor for any actions taken in reliance thereon.