In June 2007, the Department for Innovation, University and Skills (DIUS) was formed, encompassing the science and innovation sector from the Department for Trade and Industry, and the skills, further and higher education sectors from the Department for Education and Skills. Working alongside the newly formed Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) and Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF).  DIUS is now responsible for all post-19 learning, championing innovation across the board, and building a knowledge economy.

Following the publication of the Leitch review, there has been an emphasis on increasing the number of graduates within the UK to over 40% of the total workforce by 2020, specifically in science and technology areas. In combination with the Leitch Report, DIUS is working with BERR and the Technology Strategy Board (TSB) to take forward the recommendations of the Lord Sainsbury review to maximise innovative capacity within the UK, through the identified pathways detailed in the Innovation White Paper, which was released in March 2008. This details the issues and routes to overcoming the longstanding weakness in the skills base and in the numbers of employers investing in training, which states that DIUS should:

• Drive the Leitch target through the implementation of the Sainsbury review and Further Education reform, specifically through pathfinder projects
• Work with Sector Skills Councils and National Skills Academies to identify skills gaps, and drive forward training
• Pursue high performance working practices with the UK commission for employment and skills to increase value added
• Develop a framework for further expansion and development of HE with HEFCE and Higher Education Subject Centres
• Work with DCSF to promote and lead greater uptake of STEM subjects and skills
• Work with Regional Development Agencies (RDAs), TSB and National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts (NESTA) to drive forward innovation.

Higher Education at Work: High Skills: High Value

• How employers value broad employability skills, such as communication, motivation, independence, analysis, confidence and problem solving;
• Increasing graduates in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM);
• Develop better regional and sectoral problem solving, with HEIs working with RDAS, SSCs and local employers to develop Higher Level Skills;
• Testing of regional and sectoral approaches to employer co-funding, including a co-purchasing role for SSCs in the expansion in employer co-funded places.

DIUS is currently undertaking a consultation process in which it intends to assess employer engagement with Higher Education Institutes (HEIs). This process will improve engagement between employers and HEIs, and will focus on :

Cogent will be actively taking part in this process, and is seeking feedback through its industry and academic links, to aid in the delivery of its Higher Level Skills strategy.