Biotechnology: Queensland employers
Alphapharm Pty Ltd
Simmonds & Bristow Pty Ltd
Alphapharm Pty Ltd
Alphapharm Pty Ltd is a leader in the development, manufacture, marketing, distribution and export of Australian made generic prescription and pharmacy-only medicines.
Established in 1982 at Carole Park, Brisbane, this Queensland manufacturing company has grown from a staff of 12 to more than 550 locally and 700 nationally.
Alphapharm manufactures over 200 different products and distributes to some 40 countries around the globe.
The company is committed to investing in research and development and has more than 80 people at Carole Park involved in leading-edge formulation development using state-of-the-art technology - a key element of its success in the pharmaceutical manufacturing industry.
With a strong training focus, the company has developed an innovative training network that is integrated across all work units.
Alphapharm's Training and Development Coordinator, Maria Asmus, says everyone in the company is involved with on-going training and skills development - from the laboratory to management.
"This is part of a program that not only meets the TGA's (Therapeutics Goods Administration) requirements but also the operational needs of the business," she said.
"We have designated training personnel throughout each department at the Carole Park site. These key training personnel are responsible for facilitating, developing, training and mentoring trainees and new employees.
"In this way we feel we are all linked and working towards the same goal - that of ensuring our young people receive first-class training from highly-qualified professionals. Across our company there are over 60 people involved in the coaching and training of staff," Maria said.
"As well as being part of in-house on-the-job training, our laboratory staff are gaining qualifications and skills that are transferable to any area within the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sector.
'We are at the cutting-edge in biotechnology and pharmaceutical manufacture and testing in Queensland .
"Young people have the opportunity to enrol in further tertiary study in science to become either a chemist or a scientist," she said.
Simmonds & Bristow Pty Ltd
Simmonds & Bristow Pty Ltd is the premier provider of scientific, engineering and analytical support services to the water, wastewater and environment industry.
Established in 1965 in Brisbane , Queensland , the company develops chemical and biological treatment regimes and biological systems to protect drinking water and the environment.
Simmonds & Bristow has two major focuses: its laboratory, where it monitors and evaluates systems to measure the environment and collecting of data; and its consultancy, where the data and information from the laboratory is used to design, operate and evaluate treatment systems and provide real world solutions.
The company utilises new technologies to protect world heritage areas, like Cradle Mountain in Tasmania , and the Daintree Forest and Great Barrier Reef in Queensland , to ensure their sustainability for the future.
Simmonds & Bristow Managing Director, David Bristow, says the training his company provides for young trainees ensures they have the skills and competencies to do the job they were trained for.
"While young people are studying for a formal qualification in biotechnology we immerse them in the day-to-day operations of the business.
"This dual focus ensures we achieve successful industry solutions and maintain highly-skilled staff who commit to providing quality scientific and engineering services and outcomes," David said.
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