Talent to Thrive: The Newsletter for Ireland's Medtech Sector - August 2024

Upcoming Courses now available to book: Some Highlights

1. Master's in Medical Technology Regulatory Affairs (2 Years)
Developed in collaboration with the Irish Medtech Association’s Regulatory and Quality Industry Working Group, this master’s program is tailored for professionals in regulatory affairs to deepen their understanding of the global regulatory landscape. It equips participants with the necessary skills to navigate and adapt to the constantly evolving field of regulatory affairs.

Key Features:

● Comprehensive Curriculum: Gain not only expertise in regulatory affairs but also enhance your communication, research, and analytical skills. The program also covers essential topics such as legal principles, ethics, and compliance.
● Joint Delivery: Offered by ATU Sligo and the University of Galway.
● Start Date: September 2024 – Apply now, as applications are closing soon!
Learn more about how this program can advance your career in regulatory affairs here..

2. Professional Mentor Training
"Given how important mentoring is, there’s surprisingly limited guidance about how to become a good mentor" - said Harvard Business Review in a 2017 article. Our European Mentorship and Coaching Council (EMCC) accredited mentor training programme aims to fill this gap, specifically preparing emerging leaders for mentoring roles in the Irish MedTech industry. The Professional Mentor Training offers various accreditation options and recognises prior learning, ensuring a tailored experience for each participant.

Key Features:

● Skill Development: Mentors enhance their abilities through facilitated processes that include identifying personal strengths, developing individualised mentoring strategies, and reflecting on their practice.
● Expert Delivery: Led by EDelia, specialists in empowering individuals, enhancing leadership skills, and transforming organisations.
● Start Date: September 2024
Don't miss this opportunity to advance your mentoring skills! Learn more here.

3. Strategic Innovation for Senior Executives
This 3-day immersive programme developed in collaboration with Irish Medtech is specifically designed to equip senior leaders with the essential skills and strategies needed to develop and implement an innovation strategy tailored to their business. Participants will learn how to identify and capitalise on opportunities within the ever-evolving healthcare landscape, driving needs-led innovation at an organisational level. This exclusive programme, featuring in person, Rush Bartlett associate director Stanford Biodesign, Vice President of Innovation at Lansinoh Laboratories, is delivered by the renowned BioInnovate Ireland—a specialist health technology innovation initiative affiliated with Stanford BioDesign. Set against the inspiring backdrop of the Wineport lodge, Athlone

Key Features:

● Expert Delivery: Delivered by BioInnovate Ireland, a renowned health technology innovation programme affiliated with Stanford BioDesign. Utilising the proven Identify, Invent, Implement Model. By implementing the model, to-date BioInnovate Ireland has helped 33 companies secure €270M in funding.
● For more updates: see the news about BioInnovate Ireland below.
● Start Dates: Scheduled for early December 2024.
Don't miss this opportunity to drive innovation and growth in your organization. Learn more here.

4. Information Webinar: Advancing Manufacturing with Masters in Digitalisation
If digitalisation is a strategic priority for any area of your business, we invite you to join us for an important Webinar on September 3^rd. This session is tailored for manufacturing companies implementing or considering digitalisation processes. Our part-funded, two-year Masters in Digitalisation of Manufacturing delivered by Technological University of the Shannon, Midwest begins in October 2024. During the webinar you will learn how this program can benefit your organisation. We will outline how manufacturing and production processes can be advanced through digitalisation.

Webinar Details:

● Hosted by: Irish Medtech Skillnet and TUS, featuring insights and experiences from past participants of the programme.
● Date: September 3rd
● Book your place here

● No Application Needed: Irish Medtech Skillnet funding is available without a lengthy application process. If you're a company operating in Ireland, you are eligible for an average 30% discount on standard programme pricing, funded by the National Training Fund through the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, and the EU. We manage the entire application process on your behalf. Our advertised prices already reflect this subsidy, offering exceptional value in the market.
● No Membership Required: You do not need to be a registered member of any Skillnet Ireland network (including ours) or Ibec to benefit from the subsidised funding available.
● Open to All Sectors: While we specialise in Medtech, companies from all sectors operating in Ireland are eligible for our funded training programmes.
● Inclusive for All Sizes: Whether you are a start-up or a multinational, Irish companies of all sizes are eligible, with additional discounts available for SMEs in some cases.
● Multiple Networks Access: You can participate in training programmes from one or more Skillnet Ireland networks simultaneously.
● Already Receiving Funding? Companies already funded by Enterprise Ireland, IDA, or Local Enterprise Offices are also eligible for Skillnet Ireland-funded training programmes.
We are committed to making our programmes as inclusive and accessible as possible. Explore the courses on our website or contact us today to get started!

Celebrating Our Graduates

Congratulations to all recent graduates who have successfully completed their professional development programmes. We extend special recognition to the graduates of two of our flagship programmes, which launched in Spring 2024 and concluded in May 2024.

‘BioInnovate 101: Essentials of Health Technology Innovation’ was developed in collaboration with Irish Medtech to cater to professionals across technical, clinical and commercial disciplines who are engaged in a needs-led approach for innovating health technologies. This programme is specifically designed to help minimise the risk of project or commercial failure.

Delivered by the University of Galway and BioInnovate Ireland an organisation with a proven record in the in the field of supporting companies to implement has a track record in supporting industry bring innovative ideas to market.

Through BioInnovate Ireland programmes, significant milestones have been achieved:

✅ 148 Fellows Trained

✅ 4000+ Patients Treated

✅ Over €250m raised in public and private funding

✅ 191 Patents generated and filed

✅ 33 BioInnovate Startups Formed

Congratulations to all participants from West Pharma, Alcon, Eyedea Medtech Education, Fire 1 Foundry and Stryker. If your organisation is interested in future Biodesign training, don’t miss our upcoming programme in December, which you can read about here.

Our first Professional Mentorship Training programme which ran from March to May 2024, has successfully concluded. We extend our congratulations to the newly accredited participants from Croom Precision Medical, Standard Aero, DePuy Synthes, Merit Medical, Boston Scientific, and Alcon.

Feedback from participants has been highly positive. Grainne O'Meara, Vice President of Human Resources, at Merit Medical Galway had this to say:

“Our experience with the pilot of the mentoring program at Merit Medical was incredibly valuable. Over eight to ten weeks, our three participants from Merit Medical found the workshops to be highly practical and beneficial. The training materials were excellent, the engagement was great, and it was fantastic to connect with peers from other companies”.

The programme offers valuable insights into effective mentoring and coaching, including strategies for structuring meetings, building professional relationships, and managing challenging mentoring sessions. Delivered by Edelia Learning, the programme has garnered significant interest and will be offered again starting in September 2024 and is currently open for booking. For more information or to secure your place, please click here.:

We commend all our graduates and participants for their dedication and commitment to lifelong learning. We congratulate you on advancing your career in Irelands dynamic Medtech sector!

Irish Medtech Skillnet Partners in the Spotlight

We are delighted to showcase the remarkable achievements of our member companies and training partners who are making significant strides in the industry:

Minister O’Donovan Launches Irish Medtech Skillnet’s ‘Future Skills for Ireland’s Medtech Sector 2024-2028’ Report

Our Future Skills report has been making news since it was launched by Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Patrick O’Donovan TD, at a sold out event in Thomond Park, Limerick in June, 2024.

The report, titled: Talent to Thrive: Future Skills for Ireland’s Medtech Sector 2024-2028, describes our sector’s workforce which is expected to grow at a rate of 3% annually in the next four years, with 56,000 workers expected to be directly employed by 2028. The study found that the most urgent skills required by the Medtech sector include Digitisation, Data Analytics, and Automation, with Transversal skills also in high demand and a growing need for problem solving and leadership skills. Download the report to learn about the future skills needs of our industry and how Irish Medtech Skillnet is leading the way to develop new and innovative programmes which meet those needs, here.

Prof Martin O’Halloran, Executive Director of BioInnovate Ireland Galway, is named as one of the Top Tech 100, by Business Post

Ireland’s tech scene has burgeoned in recent years, spanning multiple disciplines and businesses big and small. The Business Post has assembled a list of the most impactful people in Ireland’s tech scene currently, and it featured medical device research leader Professor Martin O’Halloran, of BioInnovate Ireland, our collaborator on the upcoming Strategic Innovation for Senior Executives programme taking place in December 2024.

Martin is a needs-led medtech innovator specialising in embedding technologists and entrepreneurs alongside clinicians to see what ideas can be generated. He is also co-lead of Health Innovation Hub Ireland and CSO of his own start-up, Luminate Medical. Read the Top Tech List in full here.

Johnson & Johnson backs Galway-based medtech Loci Orthopaedics in €12.8m raise

Loci Orthopaedics, a Galway-based medical devices company that has developed a joint implant to treat arthritis, has raised €12.8 million in funding with Johnson & Johnson among the investors.

The Series A financing is to be used to augment the company’s initial clinical investigation for its patented InDX Implant System, an implant for thumb base join arthritis, which is estimated to affect 100 million people worldwide. A spin-off from Irish Medtech Skillnet training provider NUI Galway and KU Leuven in Belgium, Loci was founded in 2017, Read more here

Barbara Kelly, Human Resources Manager at Serosep, has joined the Irish Medtech Skillnet Steering Committee

Barbara’s dedication to personal development and lifelong learning aligns perfectly with our mission. The Steering Committee’s role is crucial in shaping our training programmes based on industry needs, skills gaps, and emerging trends. Barbara will offer invaluable insights to guide our future initiatives.

Europe’s first Master's in End-to-End Sterility Assurance launched by Irish Medtech Skillnet with Atlantic Technological University (ATU) at a special event at the University’s Galway campus.

Recently featured in Skillnet Ireland’s ‘Kinetic’ Newsletter, this new master’s qualification marks the second year of the programme, offering an advanced level of education and training, building on the success of the Skillnet Business Network’s Postgraduate Certificate in End-to-End Sterility Assurance, launched in 2022.

The partnership between Irish MedTech Skillnet, Skillnet Ireland, and Irish Medtech, as well as the accreditation by ATU (Level 9), highlights the collaborative efforts of industry and academia in developing the highest standards for the sector and reinforcing Ireland’s reputation as a global leader in medtech. Read more from Skillnet Ireland here.

Industry News in Ireland: The Global Medtech Hub

New €250 million seed and venture capital scheme to be launched for high-growth firms

The Department of Enterprise is currently finalising details of an exciting new €250 million fund as part of a five-year plan aimed at supporting high-growth companies in Ireland that want to expand globally by providing them with commercial funds.

The new round of funding, which has been increased by €75 million since the last scheme was launched in 2019, will be run by Enterprise Ireland, and comes amid a heightened focus on retaining companies in Ireland in the years ahead, and on job growth. The seed and venture capital scheme is expected to open in January. Read More

Join us at the Medical Technology Ireland Expo and Conference, 25-26 September 2024, Galway Racecourse

Join us at Join us at the Medical Technology Ireland Expo and Conference, taking place on 25-26 September 2024 at Galway Racecourse!

Visit the Irish Medtech Skillnet team at Stand 98C on the ground floor, and don’t miss our panel discussion on Day 1, Wednesday 25th September, from 11:20 to 12:05. The discussion will be chaired by Yvonne O’Byrne from Irish Medtech Skillnet. We look forward to connecting with you there! Book your place here.

Talent Development in MedTech and Manufacturing Panel

● Yvonne O’Byrne from Irish Medtech Skillnet (Chair)
● Martin Mulkeen (TE Connectivity) is representing Apprenticeships
● John Kilmartin (form. Medtronic) is representing IMS
● Niamh Lynch (ex. Director of Regulatory Affairs, Atlantic Therapeutics, currently PhD Candidate and Lecturer, DkIT) representing Connected Health Skillnet
● Andrea Cawley – Commercial Director at Automatic Plastics (a Comar Company) representing First Polymer Skillnet

Irish Medtech Skillnet: Meet the team!

Kathy Farrelly joins the Irish Medtech Skillnet Team as Project Executive

We are pleased to announce that Kathy Farrelly has joined the Irish Medtech Skillnet team as Project Executive. Kathy divides her time between the Irish Medtech and Connected Health, Skillnet networks. and are looking forward to working with Kathy as a valued member of the team . We are delighted to benefit from Kathy's experience where she has gained valuable expertise in procurement and tendering procedures, process improvement, and expense and payment management. Welcome to the team, Kathy!

As the current Operations Manager at Irish Medtech Skillnet, I leverage my extensive experience in strategic oversight and operational leadership to enhance organizational processes and drive training initiatives within Ireland’s medtech sector.

I draw on my past experience at Tricel Manufacturing Group, where I held pivotal roles, including Business Unit Manager at Tricel Killarney, and Business Administrative Director for Tricel France, where my responsibilities included driving operational excellence, managing sales administration, overseeing customer service operations, as well as setting up and stabilizing the new subsidiary, establishing operational frameworks, developing strategic local partnerships, and leading cross-functional teams to achieve business goals.

With a robust background in leadership roles, I enjoy the dynamic, fast-paced environment of Irish Medtech Skillnet, where I have the opportunity to manage diverse projects and a high-performing, dynamic team. I am delighted to play a role in developing talent and driving the growth and profitability of the Medtech sector in Ireland, through Irish Medtech Skillnet transformative training programmes.

I invite everyone to connect with me in Linkedin here, and to reach out to me if I can offer assistance to you at any time. My team and I are here to help!

Mary Kane Operations Manager, Irish Medtech Skillnet Ibec +353 1 605 1793 +353 87 370 7715 W: www.IrishMedtechSkillnet.ie

Connect With Us on social media for real-time updates, industry insights, and networking opportunities:

Twitter: @MedtechSkillnet

LinkedIn: @IrishMedtechSkillnet