850 jobs available at new Megalab in Leamington Spa

Around 850 jobs are now available at a state-of-the-art laboratory in Leamington as part of the UK’s NHS Test and Trace programme.

Laboratory support technicians are needed at the high output diagnostics laboratory which will be processing Covid-19 tests.

The technicians will provide support with testing the coronavirus samples when they arrive through to processing and storage, and will work closely with junior and senior laboratory technicians, and biomedical scientists.

Details of the fixed-term contracts, starting in March, have been posted on the free Coventry and Warwickshire Employment Solutions website which connects job seekers and employers with a range of services including current vacancies and access to advice and support.

The portal has been funded by the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) in partnership with the CWLEP Growth Hub, Warwickshire County Council, Coventry City Council, the District and Borough Councils, Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and the FSB.

The CWLEP Growth Hub is also working with the CWLEP’s Careers Hubs in Coventry and Warwickshire to contact colleges particularly in Leamington, Kenilworth, Warwick and Coventry to attract students who may be finishing their courses and have the skills needed.

Craig Humphrey, managing director at the CWLEP Growth Hub, said these jobs offered an excellent way to learn new skills in a fast-changing sector.

He said: “As well as playing a vital role in supporting society’s return to a more normal way of life by helping to break the chains of the Covid-19 transmission, the laboratory support technicians will gain invaluable experience and exposure to some of the country’s most highly skilled individuals in the scientific community.

“These roles represent a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go above and beyond to support public health. Successful candidates will be offered the opportunity to be trained on new processes and develop a wide set of laboratory skills.

“The laboratory is looking for staff who are able to learn new skills, work as part of a team, have excellent attention to detail and are able to follow health and safety standards.

“They initially want 850 staff to join which will rise to 2,000 jobs eventually and all the details to apply are on the CW Employment Solutions website.”

Marion Plant, vice-chair of the CWLEP and chair of its Productivity and Skills Business Group, said these posts were ideal for college leavers or those considering a change in career.

“Our Careers Hubs in Coventry and Warwickshire have built excellent links with secondary schools and colleges throughout the area and to have a state-of-the-art diagnostic testing

laboratory like this set up in Leamington means a wide range of roles will be created,” she said.

“We will be getting in touch with colleges to highlight the job opportunities available so that they can make their past and present students aware.

“GCSE in maths and English at level four or five is required and successful candidates will be provided with training and accreditation for all of the roles and processes they are required to undertake as well as having the opportunity to learn and develop new skillsets.”

For further information, please visit www.cwemploymentsolutions.co.uk