The government has announced new qualifications to help fill skills gaps in the MedTech sector.

This should ease NHS pressures by boosting productivity.

The Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) will be taught by colleges, private training providers, and universities and will support people into in-demand jobs such as echnicians working on AI-enabled health devices like wearable tech, imaging or diagnostic tools, and regulatory advisors.

The HTQs were developed through an innovative partnership between government, via Skills England; lifelong learning company, Pearson; the West Midlands Combined Authority; and employers across that region.

The West Midlands has the largest medical devices cluster in the UK, employing over 14,000 people and generating a combined turnover of £6bn.

The region houses Birmingham Health Innovation Campus, Birmingham Knowledge Quarter, Arden Cross and West Midlands Health-Tech Accelerator.

The Association of British HealthTech Industries has estimated that an extra 70,000 jobs will be needed by 2035 to meet demand across the sector, alongside 75,000 replacements for those leaving the workforce.

Health Innovation Minister, Dr Zubir Ahmed, said: "I’m excited to see these new qualifications help thousands of people into rewarding careers, supporting our UK MedTech sector to strengthen the NHS and cut waiting lists. Our Life Science Sector Plan set out the importance of supporting MedTech as an engine for growth, and skills development is fundamental to this. These qualifications demonstrate exactly the kind of innovative thinking we need to equip people with cutting-edge skills – addressing critical workforce shortages and supporting the future of NHS care and productivity.

Phil Smith, chair of Skills England, said: "MedTech is the future. Filling skills gaps for this fast-growing sector, through these new qualifications, will be a really practical way of supporting the NHS through boosting productivity. It’s a fantastic example of how national and regional government can work with employers and the education sector to rapidly respond to skills needs in growth sectors. I would like to say a special thanks to businesses in the West Midlands for all their support on this vital project."