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Lancashire and Cumbria-based employers involved in life sciences, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, energy/nuclear and technical industries require people with the technical knowledge and practical skills to support research, development and day-to-day operations.
From healthcare and pharmaceuticals to energy, manufacturing and specialist technologies, employers rely on skilled teams who can apply scientific understanding to real challenges.
The Lancashire & Cumbria Institute of Technology (L&C IoT) works with employers across the region to develop scientific capability through industry-aligned training pathways.
Delivered through partner colleges across Lancashire and Cumbria, these pathways include higher technical programmes in areas such as medical biology and applied chemistry. They are designed to help organisations strengthen existing teams and develop future scientific talent.
Science and technology play an important role across our region in sectors such as healthcare, pharmaceuticals, energy and advanced manufacturing. As organisations develop new products, improve processes and respond to technical challenges, they need employees with the right scientific foundations and practical skills to support their work.
Applied science training through L&C IoT helps employees develop the knowledge and skills needed for technical roles. Working with education partners across Lancashire and Cumbria, including leading colleges in our region, these pathways are designed around the needs of regional employers and the industries they support.
Many employers face challenges recruiting people with the right combination of qualifications, practical skills and industry understanding. A candidate may have strong academic knowledge, but organisations often need employees who can apply that learning effectively within laboratories, technical teams and wider workplace environments.
Developing talent internally helps employers strengthen their existing teams, support progression and address emerging skills gaps. It also creates a more sustainable pipeline of skilled employees with the scientific knowledge, practical experience and industry awareness needed by organisations across Lancashire and Cumbria.
Applied science training through L&C IoT broadens employees’ knowledge across scientific principles, practical techniques and industry applications, with a focus on developing a stronger understanding of how science supports real-world challenges across different sectors. Training pathways provide opportunities to develop skills relevant to a variety of areas including medical science, chemistry, laboratory practice and scientific investigation.
Medical biology training develops understanding of human biology, disease processes and the technologies used within healthcare and medical research.
Employees can build knowledge across areas such as biological systems, scientific investigation and the application of technology within medical environments, supporting organisations operating across the healthcare and pharmaceutical fields.
Many employers rely on scientific expertise to support laboratory work, research, quality assurance and technical operations. Developing these skills internally can help organisations strengthen existing teams while preparing for future workforce needs.
Applied science training through L&C IoT has been developed alongside employers to help build scientific knowledge and practical skills relevant to industry. Training is delivered through partner colleges across Lancashire and Cumbria and supports progression into a range of technical careers.
Scientific work often involves gathering evidence, interpreting results and using those findings to solve practical problems.
Applied science training supports the development of skills such as interpreting data, conducting investigations and communicating technical findings.
These capabilities help employees contribute more effectively within research, laboratory and technical environments.
Many employers already invest in developing technical skills internally, which is great. Our applied science courses aren’t a replacement for this – they can complement existing approaches to training by providing structured progression and opportunities for employees to build specialist knowledge through recognised education providers.
To view the available pathways, visit our science course page here.
These programmes help employers develop scientific skills within existing teams while creating opportunities for employees to progress into higher-level technical roles.
Applied science training can support progression into a wide range of technical roles across different sectors. Depending on their pathway and experience, employees may progress into fields such as:
Many learners also continue into further study and professional development, helping them build deeper expertise over time.
For employers, this creates opportunities to develop future specialists while supporting long-term workforce capability.
The Lancashire & Cumbria Institute of Technology works with employers across the region to support skills development in science, technology and other priority sectors.
Rather than offering generic training, L&C IoT works with education partners and employers to provide pathways that reflect industry needs and regional priorities. This includes supporting employers to:
Training is delivered through trusted education partners across Lancashire and Cumbria, giving employers access to specialist knowledge, facilities and recognised qualifications across the region.
Tom Smith
Chief Executive of Complete
If your organisation is exploring applied science training, technical workforce development or opportunities to strengthen scientific capability in Lancashire or Cumbria, L&C IoT can help identify suitable pathways.
The starting point is understanding your organisation’s skills needs, workforce priorities and where additional capability could have the greatest impact.
Contact the L&C IoT team to discuss applied science training opportunities for your business.