18 Oct 2010
Cogent the Sector Skills Council for the science-based industries held its annual skills forum for emerging technologies on 14 October at the House of Commons. The event saw the launch of Cogent’s report BioVision – Skills for Growth in the UK Bioeconomy, which sets out a vision for skills development across the fast developing bioeconomy.
Based on conservative estimates of the penetration of biotechnology in health (80% of pharmaceuticals), in industry (35% of chemicals), and in primary production (50%), a recent report, ‘The Bioeconomy to 2030’ (OECD 2009), has predicted the global bioeconomy will, by 2030, contribute 2.7% of OECD GDP - a GVA of $1.062 trillion. Dr Brian Murphy, Cogent Director of Science and Research and lead author said: “in the UK skills are a key element for sustained growth of the bioeconomy, alongside a supportive and connected policy and business environment. This report sets out some of the practical challenges we must address to ensure the talent pipeline flows.”
Andrew Miller MP, Chair of the Select Committee on Science and Technology opened the proceedings and reminded around 100 stakeholders and employers about the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) to the economy, and having the right policies in place to drive these skills. He said, “we should not underestimate the importance of science and technology to our national economy. We must have a long term strategic vision to exploit our skills in this area.”
Cogent CEO Joanna Woolf, in launching the new Cogent BioVision report said: “we are putting in place a national, integrated approach to skills for the emerging bioscience industries - importantly we are not starting from scratch, but instead bringing together all our key partners in order to put forward “one voice” from industry to shape further education, higher education and policy - building upon the good work that has already been achieved.”
Central to this is the Cogent Life Science Industries Advisory Council overseeing the Skills Charter for Life Science Industries. The Council will have an over-riding objective of ensuring that the life science industries have access to the right skills, at the right time, delivered through flexible, unitised and easy to access learning provision which is underpinned by national industry standards.
Ian Shott CBE, Chair of the UK Innovation Growth Team for Biotechnology said, “Britain is a leading player in industrial biotechnology, but we must do more to foster innovation, against a backdrop where oil has peaked and the high cost of extracting it means we cannot continue to use hydro-carbons in the way we used to and must seek alternatives.”
Mr Shott said that talent and skills were key to a successful bioeconomy and talked about the importance of Cogent and its partner Skills Academy for the Process Industries in growing vocational skills as well as developing the right kind of undergraduate and post-graduate courses - urging industry to step up to the plate and get involved.
Dave Drury, Head of Technical Training in Existing Nuclear, EDF Energy set out the nuclear industry’s vision as a sustainable industry with an extremely strong commercial future. Once again, he re-iterated the importance of skills, stressing the need for a highly skilled and experienced supply chain. Mr Drury said that the nuclear sector operates a “cradle to grave” approach to skills. From the blueprint stage to the de-commissioning of nuclear power plants, the skills dimension is carefully planned for, “with Cogent our skills council and the National Skill Academy for Nuclear pulling together the golden strings to ensure a skills pipeline from school through to professional engineering status.” He flagged up the importance of Foundation Degrees as being a powerful vehicle for staff development, alongside NSA Nuclear’s Certificate in Nuclear Professionalism, which will aid in ensuring an individual’s transition into the nuclear industry from university or other sectors, is as efficient and effective as possible.
Please click here to download "BioVision - Skills for Growth in the UK Bioeconomy"
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