15 Sep 2011
Jayne Edwards has been appointed to lead the new Technical Apprenticeship Service (TAS), a strategic employer-led initiative, initially funded from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) Growth and Innovation Fund.
Jayne said: “the Government’s backing for TAS is a clear signal of the importance of science-based apprenticeships to the economy; we will be able to support employers, particularly SMEs, in finding the right calibre of people for their business.
“I am personally delighted to be leading this service to promote real jobs for real apprentices - it’s an exceptional opportunity to help individuals, employers and the economy through one programme.”
Jayne previously managed a number of high profile skills initiatives for Cogent, including the Sector Compact, a Cogent programme which successfully increased demand for technical skills across England through the Train to Gain programme.
Cogent CEO, Joanna Woolf added: “we’re delighted to see Jayne take up this important post, she has a tremendous track record working with Science Sector employers to support them in workforce development and raising ambition around skills.
“There is already a great appetite from employers to get involved in the TAS and Jayne will work with them to support them in securing skills for the future, providing companies with talented, motivated individuals, who are ready for the unique technical challenges of working in the science-based industries.”
Jayne has begun the process of setting up the TAS, including building a team to deliver the service; however employers in chemical, pharmaceuticals, life sciences, petroleum, polymers and nuclear industries are encouraged to contact Jayne for early involvement in the programme.
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Key features & benefits of the TAS
- The TAS aims to increase apprenticeship numbers in the Process Sector by addressing identified sector and geographical barriers to recruitment and training.
- The over-riding aim is finding “real jobs for real apprentices” but the TAS will specifically support employers who may not be in a position to employ the apprentice at the outset.
- It offers a robust recruitment service to employers looking to employ an apprentice but without the in-house time and resource, for a one-off fee
- It is of particular benefit to SMEs looking for an apprentice, as the support will include the establishment of local networks.
- Cogent frameworks and all other frameworks will be available to employers in the Cogent Process Sector.
- Cogent Gold Standard qualifications are part of the scheme, initially at no extra cost, providing the status of “Gold Standard” Apprentice.
- Progression routes to Higher Level Education to apprentices completing their frameworks will form a key part of the offer.
- The scheme offers bursaries to apprentices who complete their frameworks to encourage progression routes to Higher Level Education.
- An alumni programme will be established to support the promotion of apprenticeships to schools.
About the Growth and Innovation Fund
The fund gives an opportunity for employers and government to invest jointly in making sure the country has the skills needed for long term competiveness in a modern and dynamic economy. It is co-investing in innovative employer-led skills solutions with the potential to make a significant impact on the big skills challenges facing employers. The UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) and the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) are working in partnership to deliver the Growth and Innovation Fund.
About Cogent
Cogent is the Sector Skills Council for the chemicals, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, nuclear, oil and gas, petroleum and polymer industries. It is the voice of employers in these industry sectors and is working with them to design qualifications; attract young people into the Sector and understand their needs through comprehensive research. Cogent currently represents the interests of a sector which employs around 900,000 people in high value jobs and indirectly supports around three times as many. The world-leading science-based industries in the Cogent footprint have a turnover of £200bn - greater than all government spend on health and education. The industries rely on a constant supply of high level skills, especially in science and engineering, to ensure innovation and growth in energy, advanced process technology and biotechnology.
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