04 May 2012
Against a backdrop where the global life sciences sector is in the midst of rapid change and fundamental restructuring, Cogent the Skills Council for the Life Science Industries, has published its Annual Report on employer-led skills development for the sector.
It also sets out how Cogent is responding to the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) Strategy for UK Life Sciences*, published at the end of 2011. This set out a vision for UK life sciences to continue to be a key contributor to sustained economic growth.
As part of this Government strategy, attracting, developing and rewarding the best talent is fundamental: Cogent’s role in securing this talent is set out in the BIS strategy.
The new Cogent report outlines how the Skills body’s Life Sciences Skills Action Plan is being implemented through four employer-led working groups. These groups have taken full account of the changing skills needs of the sector.
Nigel Brooksby, Chair of the Life Sciences Skills Strategy Board (LSSB) and former President of the ABPI and Chairman and Managing Director of Sanofi-Aventis UK said: “In this Annual Report we set out how we are supporting this key economic sector in securing its place in the global economy through a number of key skills programmes.
“The focus is on skills delivery and making sure that the right skills are in place and the right programmes are available, to deliver the talent the sector needs for global competitiveness.”
The Cogent Life Sciences Advisory Council (LSAC) is an employer led forum facilitated by Cogent and supported by Government, academia and other key stakeholders.
It is shaping the skills action plan, taking on board existing best practice, and ensuring that it delivers on those issues most pressing for employers.
Under the leadership of four employer-led working groups, the following activities are underway.
- Apprenticeships: Cogent is creating new and different vocational pathways for graduates and science-based technicians to meet the challenges of the sector, including a brand new Higher Apprenticeships.
- Skills Signalling: the continually changing skills needs of employers mean it is essential that a mechanism exists to signal these requirements to educators. Cogent is establishing a new skills signalling mechanism: an important element of this will be communication of skills gaps to prospective and existing employees in the life science industries.
- Placements: Cogent, with industry, academia and other relevant stakeholders is developing a proposition that would see the establishment of a not-for-profit organisation to support companies in the delivery of high-quality life sciences placements and work experience.
- Small and medium sized businesses (SMEs): Life sciences are a fertile market for future SME growth, as long as there is a skills pipeline in place. Through activity to engage with SMEs, Cogent has strengthened its life sciences network and is working to deliver a range of training solutions to suit the needs of SMEs.
Commenting in the Skills Report, Natalie Webster from Takeda Cambridge, who has taken up the first new style Higher Apprenticeship in Life Sciences said: “the Higher Apprenticeship in Life Sciences provides a fantastic opportunity to study in higher education as well as learning a range of laboratory based practical skills in a real life working environment.
“I have already had hands on experience with compound screening in assay development, cell transfections, cloning, cell culture and DNA purification. I have enjoyed every minute so far at Takeda Cambridge and I'm confident I will continue to feel this way throughout the duration of my placement here."
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