The model is highlighted in the Government’s new Life Sciences Jobs Plan, the Skills England Annual Skills Report 2026 and The Missing Middle: Unlocking the Growth Potential of Higher Technical Qualifications, published by the Lifelong Education Institute and supported by Pearson.
Together, the publications highlight the West Midlands’ MedTech qualification as an exemplar of how national skills reform can be translated into practical provision that responds to regional and employer need.
The recognition comes as the UK MedTech sector faces a projected shortfall of around 145,000 jobs by 2035.
Across the wider life sciences sector, around 66,000 additional jobs in priority occupations are expected to be needed between 2025 and 2035, with 83 per cent of projected additional employment requiring qualifications at Level 4 or above.
The West Midlands is already a major centre for MedTech, with more than 700 MedTech businesses. Ensuring the region has the specialist technical, scientific and digital skills needed to support innovation and growth is therefore a critical priority.
The new MedTech Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) were developed through collaboration between Skills England, Pearson, the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) and employers, creating a more responsive approach to technical skills provision based on the needs of the sector.
The qualifications are designed to support careers across areas including digital health systems, product testing, regulation and emerging medical technologies. From September 2026, BMet College will deliver the new MedTech Higher Technical Qualification, creating a new technical route into the sector.
Richard Parker (pictured), mayor of the West Midlands, said: “This recognition is well deserved. MedTech is one of the fastest growing sectors of our economy, which is why it plays a big role in my Growth Plan.
“Our region has the UK’s largest MedTech cluster, plus even more high-quality jobs coming to Birmingham Knowledge Quarter, and our priority is to give local people the skills they need to work and flourish in this sector.”
The Life Sciences Jobs Plan highlights the WMCA’s work with Skills England, Pearson and industry partners to co-design new Level 4 and 5 Higher Technical Qualifications, alongside the role of the Health and MedTech Skills Forum in bringing together government, industry, the NHS and education to identify workforce needs.
The Skills England Annual Skills Report 2026 identifies the MedTech HTQs as a case study in responding to the sector’s projected workforce shortfall, while The Missing Middle highlights the importance of connecting higher technical education to employer demand, regional priorities and clear progression opportunities.
Together, the publications provide national recognition of a regional approach that has moved beyond identifying a skills gap to developing a practical response for a growing sector.
Dr Lucy Alexander, skills lead at Medilink Midlands, said: “The MedTech sector is changing rapidly, and the skills needed to support its future growth are becoming increasingly specialised. Developing the right workforce therefore requires employers to have a meaningful role in shaping the pathways into the sector.
“The MedTech Higher Technical Qualifications demonstrate the value of bringing together industry insight, education expertise and regional leadership to create a route that is relevant to the needs of employers and learners.
“The recognition of this work across three influential national publications is a significant endorsement of the approach and demonstrates how regional partnerships can contribute to the wider national skills agenda.”
