TABLE 4.

Recommendations for improvements to future education, training and professional development of the clinical laboratory workforce.

Education	Higher Education Institutions to consider:
	• the specific needs of their students to personalise learning and share best practice
	• investing in digital technology; including development of staff and student competency
	• implementation of skills for online working, self-efficiency and maintaining a healthy work/home balance into the curriculum as more employers move to remote working
Training	Consider alternative and simulated placement opportunities to expand placement provision
	Emphasise and support skills mix in development opportunities to promote a flexible workforce
	Close collaboration between universities and industry required to ensure education and training is fit for purpose
Assessment	Consider alternative research projects—alternatives to laboratory-based projects include; Bioinformatics/big data; computational modelling; simulation evaluations; systematic reviews containing meta-analysis; surveys/focus groups and educational development evaluations
Workplace Practice	Utilisation of available funding to support education development
	Prioritisation and investment in training support and provision
	Consideration of training needs to be embedded into workforce planning and recruitment as Continual Professional Development is a key requirement for maintaining Health and Care Professions Council registration
Mental Health	Encourage self-awareness and reduction of associated stigma
	Clear signposting of the support available and organisational plans to remove barriers to accessing these
Public Perception	Promote student and employee public engagement and outreach activities