Preparing the workforce for sustainable medicines manufacturing

A new Workforce Foresighting report, delivered by the Centre for Process Innovation (CPI) in collaboration with the Workforce Foresighting Hub, explores what this transition means for the workforce, and what action is needed now to ensure the UK is ready to deliver sustainable medicines manufacturing at scale.

Why workforce foresighting matters

Workforce foresighting is a systemic approach to anticipating future skills and capability needs linked to emerging technologies and policy priorities. It helps industry, educators and policymakers plan ahead — ensuring education and training systems are aligned with future demand rather than reacting once skills shortages emerge.

This foresighting cycle focused on Transforming Existing API Manufacturing Processes and Facilities to Enable the Transition to Sustainable Medicines Manufacturing, specifically examining the adoption of bio based solvents, closed loop solvent recovery and supporting digital sustainability tools within GMP environments.

Key findings

The study identified 107 future organisational capabilities, which were consolidated into 15 Future Occupational Profiles (FOPs) spanning five critical supply chain partners — from bio based solvent developers and solvent recovery providers to pharmaceutical manufacturers, digital technology providers and regulators.

The findings show that while many sustainable manufacturing technologies are technically viable and approaching large scale deployment, workforce capability is a major constraining factor. In particular, gaps were identified across:

• Regulatory compliance and standards assurance
• Solvent recovery, reuse and circularity
• GMP aligned digital validation
• Sustainability led leadership and strategic decision making

Several high priority roles, including Chief Transformation Officer, Scientist (Bio Solvent Development), Regulatory Policy & Standards Officer and Regulatory Compliance Officer, are currently underserved by existing education and training provision.

What needs to happen next

The report makes clear that the transition to sustainable API manufacturing is not just a technology challenge — it is a system level workforce transformation.

• Industry must treat sustainability as a strategic transformation programme, investing in targeted upskilling, cross functional capability development and early engagement with regulators to reduce adoption risk.
• Educators are encouraged to adapt curricula and CPD provision to better integrate green chemistry, solvent recovery, regulatory science and digital manufacturing, with flexible learning pathways for both new entrants and the existing workforce.
• Ongoing workforce foresighting will be essential, as technologies mature and regulatory frameworks continue to evolve.

By aligning skills development with technological and regulatory change, the UK can build a workforce that is ready to deliver compliant, circular and sustainable medicines manufacturing — at pace and at scale.