3 ways mature students fall through the cracks at university … and why it doesn’t happen to GetReskilled students

In traditional universities, the vast majority of undergraduates are starting out in their late teens, straight from school. Mature students can find themselves falling between the cracks of this system. When we created our degree specifically for mature students, we knew we’d have to build safety nets around key areas where mature students typically struggle.

The ideal BSc (Hons) degree for retirees

We designed our degree specifically for mature students - it's an ideal choice for retirees. So whether you’re looking to keep your mind active by learning something new, want to finally get a BSc (Hons) degree or simply have a love of learning, this could be just what you’re looking for.

Your Degree Pathway Explained

Our BSc (Hons) in Pharmaceutical and Medicinal Product Manufacturing is a truly unique degree option. The structure and course delivery methods were specifically designed to meet the needs of mature students. Let's take a look at the steps involved in getting this degree.

AbbVie in Ireland

AbbVie was formed in 2013 when Abbott Laboratories separated into two publicly traded companies. AbbVie would operate as a research-based pharmaceutical manufacturer that specialises in making small molecule drugs. The company focuses on therapy areas such as immunology, oncology, neurological disorders and metabolic diseases. They are most well known for the rheumatoid arthritis treatment, Humira.

Job Hunting When You Don’t Yet Have Your Qualification in Your Hand

Does this sound familiar - you have done your part, completed all your studies, handed in all your assignments, finished all your exams, BUT you don’t yet have your qualification in your hand to prove it to employers when job hunting? There isn’t anything you can do to get your qualifictaion quicker - it’s out of your hands. So what can you do so that you can wrestle back some control on the situation?

Stryker in Ireland

Dr. Stryker founded his company in the U.S in 1941, aiming to make products that met patients’ previously unmet healthcare needs. Today, Stryker is one of the biggest medtech companies in the world. They have seven sites located across Ireland - five manufacturing sites and an R&D Innovation Centre in Cork, and a manufacturing site in Limerick. They also have a manufacturing site in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

How to Convince Your Employer to Pay for Your Education

Are you thinking about going to university or taking a course to get a professional qualification? Trying to balance your commitments between work and home life is never easy. However, one of the biggest challenges can be figuring out how you are going to pay for the programme. But a great way to help with this is to convince your employer to help fund the cost of your tuition. Keep reading to figure out what steps you need to take and how to pitch your boss or manager or company.

How long does it take to get a job in the pharma industry?

How long does it take to go from making a job application to starting your first day at work in a pharmaceutical or medical device company? Of course, it varies from company to company and depends on the type of job you are applying for but the answer is commonly “much longer than expected”! Getting a job in this sector takes time and requires a significant amount of effort, preparation and waiting. The recruitment processes are generally multistep and rigorous with multiple checks and balances.

Medtronic in Ireland

Medtronic began as a medical supply repair shop in the US in 1949. When they moved into medical device manufacturing, their first commercial product was a battery-powered, wearable pacemaker. Today, they aim to develop and manufacture technology that improves the treatment and management of chronic conditions. In Ireland, the company employs more than 4,000 people across 5 sites in Galway, Athlone and Dublin.

MSD in Ireland

MSD was founded in 1891 and has grown to be the world’s seventh-largest pharmaceutical company. MSD began production in Ireland in 1976. They have so far invested over $4 billion in the country, developing six sites across five counties – Carlow, Cork, Dublin, Meath and Tipperary. Today, they employ approximately 2,800 in Ireland and export products made there to over 60 countries. The company’s annual turnover makes them one of Ireland’s top 20 companies.

Lilly in Cork and Limerick in Ireland

Colonel Eli Lilly started the company in 1876. His motto to his employees, and all that followed within the company, was: “Take what you find here and make it better and better.” In 1923, Lilly launched the first commercially available insulin product. Their focus on diabetes care continued and in 1982, the company launched Humulin – insulin that was manufactured but identical to that produced by the human body.

Abbott in Ireland

Abbott was founded in 1888 by Dr Wallace C. Abbott in Chicago, USA. The company is involved in the research, development, manufacture, and marketing of a range of products. Their portfolio spans the breadth of healthcare including medical devices, diagnostics, branded generic pharmaceuticals, and nutritionals.

Boston Scientific in Cork, Galway and Tipperary in Ireland

Boston Scientific is one of the biggest MedTech companies in the world – employing over 41,000 people around the world and selling products in 115 countries. The company was founded in 1979 with the aim of creating less invasive medical devices and procedures, and they continue to innovate across expanding areas of medicine. Today, their medical devices are used to diagnose and treat patients with issues in the areas of cardiology, urology, endoscopy and many more.

Pfizer in Ireland

Pfizer is the world’s largest research-based pharmaceutical company with operations spanning the globe. Its research headquarters are located in Groton, Connecticut, America. Pfizer develops and produces vaccines and medicines for a range of conditions in the areas of oncology, infections and infestations, cardiology, ophthalmology, neurology and psychiatry. It has been in Ireland for over 50 years and currently has 3 manufacturing plants located there.

6 Top Skills for Entry-Level Pharma Manufacturing Jobs in the UK

What does the ideal candidate for an entry-level job in pharma manufacturing look like? We’ve analysed job adverts from pharma employers across the UK to find out. In this article we’re specifically looking at “soft” or transferable skills, counting down to the most popular. No matter what your educational background or work experience is, it’s likely that you can boost the case for yourself as a suitable candidate by demonstrating you have these skills. And while this is a good general guide, the most important thing to remember is to carefully read each individual job advert and highlight the skills mentioned within it as your tailor your CV for that application.

How to Write a CV – Part 8: Formatting

If you’ve worked through these articles in order, you’ve seen how a CV builds section by section. We’ve thought about the content that should go in every section so that you’re doing the best job possible at selling yourself to potential employers. We’ve also talked a little about layout options for each section.

How to Write a CV – Part 7: References

As soon as you start your job hunt you’ll need to consider who you can use as references. You’ll typically need 2 people, at least one should be a previous employer (and usually you’ll need to include your last employer). Former employers are legally obligated to give basic reference details for their employees but if you’re using someone who wasn’t a former employer, you should check ahead of time that they are willing to be a reference for you. Then you have to decide if/how you’re presenting this information on your CV.. If you choose to include it, the references section should be a brief section on your CV.

How to Write a CV – Part 6: Skills, Hobbies & Interests

The purpose of this Section: To give an employer an insight into how you spend your personal time and the type of person you are. You might historically have viewed this section as a tick-box exercise that you only include because you “should”. But this section can actually be really useful in convincing someone you’ve got relevant skills for the role. This can be particularly helpful if you can demonstrate a skill listed on the job advert that you’ve not been able to demonstrate within another section of your CV

How to Write a CV – Part 5: Employment History

Purpose of this section: To give an employer a full but concise overview of your employment history, highlighting relevant experience and skills. The “Employment History” section of your CV should be far more than dates and a list of the duties of your job. By adding in specific achievements, tangible details and transferable skills, your previous employment section can be a highly persuasive section of your CV, even if you’re making a mid-career change.

VET Awards success 2019

by Gerard Creaner (President, GetReskilled) I’m absolutely delighted to announce that GetReskilled and Technological University Dublin finished 2nd in our category at the European Commission Vocational Education Training (VET) Excellence Awards 2019. Just to be recognised at a European level is a real honour. I’m really proud to be bringing home [...]

Scotland’s Booming Pharmaceutical Industry

By: Claire Wilson. Last Updated: January 2024 Photo: Global Manufacturing Scotland's Pharma Industry at a Glance Over 5,600 people directly employed by Pharmaceutical Companies in Scotland The industry exports over £575 million worth of manufactured goods Salaries per head are around £11,000 higher than the Scottish average [...]

Take a look inside Ireland’s Pharma plants

Due to the strict rules and regulations of the pharmaceutical and medical device industries, you typically can’t just take a tour of the manufacturing plants. But whether you’re preparing for an interview or you’re just interested to see what the inside of a pharma manufacturing plant actually looks like, we’ve got the next best thing…

2018 Irish Pharma Year in Review

What Was New in 2018? Several new facilities opened across Ireland in 2018, including... Agilent On November 16th, Agilent officially opened its new purpose-built R&D extension within its Little Island, Cork site. This new facility will allow both cell analysis and biosensor development. The opening also marked the company's integration of the newly [...]