New Investment in Innovation and Skills: Opportunities for MPCE
Recent Government announcements on research funding, apprenticeships and technical education could create new opportunities for medical physics, clinical engineering and technology (MPCE).
While these initiatives aren't specifically aimed at healthcare science, they could benefit organisations working across clinical services, academia and the medical technology industry.
£1 billion for regional innovation
The Government has announced £1 billion over four years through UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to support high-growth industrial clusters, including life sciences, advanced manufacturing and digital technologies.
Mayoral authorities in England will also receive dedicated research and development funding for the first time.
For MPCE, this could open up opportunities for research partnerships, technology development and commercialisation, particularly in medical imaging, AI, medical devices and digital healthcare.
NHS organisations, universities and industry already collaborate in many of these areas. The challenge will be identifying where new investment could support that work, including translating research into technologies that improve patient care.
As these programmes develop, it will be important to understand how MPCE organisations and researchers can access the funding and contribute their expertise.
New apprenticeship incentives for smaller employers
The Government has introduced a £2,000 incentive for eligible non-levy-paying employers (typically smaller businesses) recruiting apprentices aged 16–24.
This could be particularly useful for smaller medical technology companies and specialist engineering businesses looking to recruit and train new talent.
Apprenticeships can offer an alternative route into technical careers, but employers also need suitable training programmes and opportunities for progression.
There may be scope for closer working between industry, education providers and NHS services to help develop the practical skills needed across medical physics and clinical engineering.
Changing perceptions of technical careers
New Department for Education polling found that 84% of young people support combining practical technical learning with academic subjects from age 14.
However, 44% believe vocational and technical routes are looked down on by their peers, while 37% feel pressure from parents to pursue academic options.
These findings highlight a wider challenge for professions such as ours, where practical engineering and technical expertise are just as important as academic qualifications.
This provides a timely opportunity to showcase the breadth of roles across MPCE, particularly clinical technology and engineering careers that young people may not otherwise encounter.
Turning opportunities into benefits for MPCE
Taken together, these announcements offer some practical opportunities for our community.
For researchers and universities, new innovation funding could support partnerships and the development of healthcare technologies. For industry, apprenticeship incentives may help smaller businesses invest in technical skills. And for clinical services, stronger links with education and industry could support innovation and future workforce development.
For IPEM, the priority is to help ensure that our members are aware of these opportunities and that the contribution of MPCE is recognised as new programmes take shape.
The challenge now is to turn wider investment in science, engineering and technology into tangible benefits for our professions.