In order to compete in today’s industrialized global market, companies in Canada are looking for prospective employees who have the right qualifications and training.
Although you may think that pharmaceutical manufacturing means you’ll only be working in the pharmaceutical field, there are actually a wide variety of industries in need of skilled workers to monitor and regulate their pharmaceutical manufacturing process. Employment in pharmaceutical manufacturing in Canada has grown by 10.7% in the last five years, with particular strength in the metropolitan areas of Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver, which means that the time has never been better to start a rewarding and long-lasting career.
If you’re interested in entering a unique profession that allows you to work for a variety of employers, read on to find out what you can expect from a career in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
A Career in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Isn’t Your Normal Desk Job
The average 9-5 job doesn’t have to include sitting at a desk all day – in fact, you may actually find yourself on your feet quite often in a career in pharmaceutical manufacturing as you move between work stations on the production floor.
Monitoring equipment is an important aspect of working in pharmaceutical manufacturing
The nature of pharmaceutical manufacturing means that you’ll be working with many different machines that help regulate and monitor products as they go through the manufacturing process. This includes operating computerized control panels, adjusting equipment, and preparing process units for maintenance, among many other duties. You may also rotate during shift cycles between different processing units to make sure they’re all functioning correctly, so you can expect to stay active and on your feet during the day.
Pharmaceutical production can be a very busy work environment, but if you’re alert and able to work well under pressure to analyze, identify, and resolve any issues that may come up on the factory floor – and if you don’t mind wearing protective gear while you work – then you’ll be able to find success in pharmaceutical manufacturing.
There Are Many Different Professions to Choose From in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
One of the great benefits of joining the pharmaceutical manufacturing profession is that it gives you access to many different career opportunities across a variety of industries — not only pharmaceutical!
Due to the broad nature of pharmaceutical manufacturing, the skills you learn in a pharmaceutical manufacturing course can be applied and transferred across the biotechnology, medical devices, food, cosmetics, and nutraceutical industries. Whether you’re performing sterilization checks or ensuring good manufacturing practices, your training gives you the knowledge and qualifications that you can use in the profession of your choice.
You can also find employment under a variety of titles, including, but not limited to:
- Pharmaceutical Production Technician
- Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Technician
- Process Validation Technician
- Compounding Technician
If, for instance, you like the scheduling and logistics aspect of pharmaceutical manufacturing, you might want to look into process validation, which measures, audits, and analyzes the manufacturing process to assess product quality. On the other hand, if you enjoy performing regular inspections and preventative maintenance, then you may be interested in working as a pharmaceutical production or manufacturing technician.
Students at Oxford College can take the skills they learn to many different industries
Are you ready to take the next step towards a rewarding carer in high-demand?
Contact Oxford College for more information on our pharmaceutical manufacturing program.