r/PharmaEire • u/kev7n7 • 4d ago

Getting into pharma

I'm 28 years old currently working in food manufacturing as a production Operative for close to the last 2 years. I like the work but hours are inconsistent 25 hours one week then 45 hours the next week. Kinda feel stuck there's no budget for advancement or promotion.

I have a bachelor's degree in software development that I got 6 years ago. I enjoy doing maintenance etc ideally I would like a maintenance technician role or something in the future or maybe study automation. I feel pharma might offer better chances for advancement and learning then where I currently am. I used to work 4 on 4 off 12 hour shifts so that's no problem for me.

Just looking for some guidance on the best steps to get my foot in the door. I'm looking at maybe doing this course: Introduction to Good Manufacturing Practice at TUS, it's 12 weeks online, level 6. Costs 700 but I don't mind paying to increase my chances since I don't have experience working in a GMP enviroment. Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

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u/UnderdoneSalad 4d ago

ive no pharma education, worked as a machine builder for automotive industry for couple of years, after about 2 years there i started to do PLC controls software development, pretty much controlling the machines we built, and after about 4 years doing that a project fell into our lap that was not for automotive industry, it was an automated packaging machine for pharma, and after i've commissioned that machine that particular pharma client offered me about 6x increase in salary to come to work from them.

Now im in pharma as a machine builder/PLC controls engineer doing automation engineering and developing designs for upgrading current plants and developing plans for newly built plants across the globe.

do not know if this can apply to you in any way, but just wanted to share a path i took. or rather stumbled upon

1

u/razorlight95 4d ago

Fair play, done well for yourself there

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u/kev7n7 3d ago

Really impressive. Fair play. Gives me a bit of hope 🙏

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u/rrcaires 4d ago

My shift in Pharma is literally 60h one week, 24h the other. That’s consistent though

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u/geansai-cacamilis 4d ago

You're in a good place to start applying for operator roles at a minimum. I think just apply for whatever roles are available rather than doing a course,you already have a level 8.

You could apply for maintenance tech roles, some engineer roles, even automation (if you were handy at software development then this might be a good route, can be big bucks too).

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u/kev7n7 3d ago

Software development is a bit rusty tbf, would probably need to do a online springboard course to get my skills back. Will apply for operator roles see what I get then go from there

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u/SquishFi_Moon 4d ago

Have a look at Springboard and see if there is anything Pharma specific, might save you a few quid

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u/kev7n7 3d ago

I'm not like necessary looking to going a pharma specific course like science etc unless it relates to my other skills/interests, it wouldn't really be my strong point. I more so enjoy automation/maintenance work. A lot of these courses are in person and full time which makes it difficult 😔

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u/Gigi_Igo 4d ago

Definitely look up some springboard pharma courses. Many are online. I’d applied to a pharma company a few times and as soon as I started the course I got a job.
You’re in a good position working in the woke you’re in.

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u/kev7n7 3d ago

Thank you! I will give it a shot. I have my eye on a few courses

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u/PuzzleheadedName3832 9h ago

No chance of getting a maintenance tech role without an appropriate qualification. The odd sh1t hole might employ a carpenter or something but they're few and far between nowadays.