Pharma Job Advice

Waterproofer

Hi all, I'm looking for some advice if anyone can help?

I'm a 34 year old plasterer but looking to get a job in the Pharmaceutical industry as an operator. I don't have any experience in that sector, are there any courses people would recommend or advice in general to get into these jobs. I'm in Cork.

Thanks

eurokev

Look in to manufacturing apprenticeships.
Can be done over 2 or 3 years and you recieve a level 6 or 7 degree at the end respectively.
A lad recently started it in my place, and yes while the money is crap now, he'll be making a nice wedge when "out of his time"
A lot of employers are looking for older lads to do apprenticeships too afaik.
I did an electrical apprenticeship finishing up at 32 and it was the best thing I ever did.

Damien360

Waterproofer wrote: »

Hi all, I'm looking for some advice if anyone can help?

I'm a 34 year old plasterer but looking to get a job in the Pharmaceutical industry as an operator. I don't have any experience in that sector, are there any courses people would recommend or advice in general to get into these jobs. I'm in Cork.

Thanks

Explain operator. Do you mean production floor ? If so, a willingness to work will do and know what GMP is.

It's loading raw material into a large bin at exact amounts, record at the exact time of doing it, start the mixing and record. Everything is about record keeping. If it's not signed for, it was never done. The role might change depending on raw materials but it still boils down to record keeping.

Look up Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP). Guaranteed question in an interview. It's all about clean as you go, and especially record keeping. Record whatever you do at that moment. Not later on. How to deal with a written mistake is good. Single line to cross out so it's still legible, sign, date, never ever back date, insert correct data, and record reason for change. If it's not written, it didn't happen. Implication of not recording it is a batch destroyed with cost to company or more seriously, a patient dying if it's not spotted.

Best of luck.

Session2019!

Have a look at innopharma or getreskilled online. They offer different courses for converting to pharmaceutical industry. Also springboard might be a possibility too.

Some of these are online courses so can be done while working.

basillarkin

Just leaving the operator role now and returning to trade work. You will find it hard to make it full time as a product builder or an operator as the likes of Medtronic Boston etc only hire operators now through recuirtmemt agencies and the probability of a full time operator position is poor.

YFlyer

Waterproofer wrote: »

Hi all, I'm looking for some advice if anyone can help?

I'm a 34 year old plasterer but looking to get a job in the Pharmaceutical industry as an operator. I don't have any experience in that sector, are there any courses people would recommend or advice in general to get into these jobs. I'm in Cork.

Thanks

A line worker you could get in. A QC operator you'll likely need at least a diploma. Science based job. Go back to college.

Waterproofer

I really appreciate the replies, absolutely brilliant information, thanks very much. The manufacturing apprenticeship looks good, I registered on the website.

Muahahaha

YFlyer wrote: »

A line worker you could get in. A QC operator you'll likely need at least a diploma. Science based job. Go back to college.

Any ideas what salary line operators in pharma can expect?

basillarkin

Muahahaha wrote: »

Any ideas what salary line operators in pharma can expect?

12-13euro an hour on 23 month contract through agency. Full time operators on 17-19 depending on time served.

andrew2017

I myself recruit for Life Sciences sectors, previously in an agency and now in PM Group. The market is tight and competition is tough, but I will tell you this - consider the end goal. Operator roles are limited in what you can move into down the line. In agency work we used to get alot of operators looking to move out of operator roles (into something more financially lucrative), but they couldn't or it was very difficult.

If you will start a course now - you can choose carefully and maybe you can have a better-paid job than an operator (depending on what you want down the line).

Some companies now offer apprenticeships in for example process engineering (bio/pharma) for graduates. I think sproingboard courses will be a great option as you will be able to do Level 6 to Level 9 in a specialised area (that can be much better than operator path - should you want that). If you have any questions let me know