Minister for Skills and Lifelong Learning, Keith Brown, visited Ingenza Ltd. on the 17th of August to meet Modern Apprentices (MA) Kirsty Glendinning and Ross Hepplewhite (both 18) from Penicuik, Midlothian. Ingenza is receiving support from Skills Development Scotland (SDS) to undertake life sciences MAs in association with Forth Valley College.

Keith Brown said:

”Scotland has a thriving life sciences sector, with companies like Ingenza establishing themselves as world leaders in the biotech field and making a significant contribution to Scotland’s economy and helping to aid our future economic growth.

“We launched the Modern Apprenticeship Life Sciences Framework last year to support that key sector and help meet its recruitment and retention needs, while also ensuring that our people are given the opportunity to train and develop their skills in an industry which has real growth potential.

”I am delighted to be able to visit Ingenza to meet the two modern apprentices - Kirsty Glendinning and Ross Hepplewhite – recruited with support from the Scottish Government, to see how they are progressing with their training and find out about the contribution they are making within this global company.”

Ingenza President, Dr Ian Fotheringham said:

“Access to high quality staff has been critical to Ingenza’s rapid growth in the past seven years and the Life Science Modern Apprentice scheme is a great asset to that need throughout Scotland’s biosciences sector. Kirsty and Ross are thriving in an environment of chemistry, synthetic biology and fermentation, helping Ingenza meet its worldwide business goals. We will shortly hire an additional apprentice and look forward to the continued success of this initiative.”

Kirsty Glendinning said:

”Now that I am beginning to help out with the molecular biologists I feel confident in the new skills that I have learned in the laboratory. I enjoy assisting the scientists with their project work and I know my contribution is appreciated.”

Ross Hepplewhite said:

”Working at Ingenza has been excellent and I really enjoy the time I spend in the laboratory. My colleagues are now relying on the work I do so I always try to do my best. Had it not been for the Modern Apprenticeship Scheme I would not have been given this great opportunity.”