22 Jul 2011
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has given its support to three key Cogent employer-led projects. These projects are set to deliver skills for growth in the Skills Council’s science-using Sector and will receive funding from the Government’s £50m Growth and Innovation Fund (GIF).
The projects have all been developed under the leadership of companies and are aimed at addressing some of the skills challenges that are getting in the way of companies continued performance and growth and include initiatives to boost apprenticeships and a tailored approach to skills development within SMEs. The overall value of the bids is circa £2.4m (subject to contract).
Cogent CEO, Joanna Woolf said: “This is great news for the industries in the sector demonstrating continued commitment from Government through investment in skills. The three projects present innovative solutions to the issues faced by companies in accessing the skills that they need. We are really looking forward to developing the solutions contained within the bid.”
“We’re also delighted that our partner organisation, the National Skills Academy for Nuclear has been successful with its bid to expand its remit into manufacturing, which will embrace the nuclear supply chain.”
Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), Vince Cable, says: “This government wants business to lead the creation of a world-class skills system. I’m pleased that employers have responded by coming forward with innovative ideas for the Growth and Innovation Fund. The fund will target public money, investing alongside business, to deliver workforce skills in new and creative ways.”
The following Cogent proposals will receive GIF funding:
1. Apprenticeship Training Agency (ATA) - “Real jobs for Real Apprentices”
The ATA will support Sector employers to source and employ apprentices. It is Cogent’s ambition to make it easy for companies to take on apprentices by removing the barriers that get in the way. Apprentices are important to the future prosperity of the sector and there is a real appetite from companies of all shapes and sizes to get involved. The ATA will be of particular benefit to SMEs, and will include local support networks. Being able to employ apprentices on behalf of employers will be of significant benefit to those employers experiencing challenging trading conditions. The ATA will also offer progression routes to Higher Level Education to apprentices who complete their frameworks and an alumni programme will be established to support the promotion of apprenticeships to school children.
Stuart Fry, Managing Director, Linecross: “The ATA is a much needed programme to boost apprenticeships in our industry. It also provides invaluable support to SMEs in engaging apprentices, removing the barriers and taking on the liaison with providers. We need to bring in new talent and so this scheme is just what the industry needs at the moment.”
2. SME Gold Standard Skills Tool
The Gold Standard is gaining ground with more and more companies signing up to the industry skills standard. It is now also recognised by European as well as UK trade bodies such as the Chemical Industries Association (CIA) and The European Chemical Employers Group (ECEG). This project provides Cogent with the means to develop a tailored approach for SMEs. It provides smaller companies with an online, streamlined way of assessing themselves against the standard and accessing skills solutions to meet their needs. This will be delivered through the National Skills Academy Process Industries alongside their existing skills assurance process to larger organisations.
The Gold Standard sets the industry standard for a competency framework that is world class in all aspects including compliance, technical, functional & behavioural skills and business improvement skills such as lean manufacturing, sustainability and quality.
Elaine Dodge, Quality Compliance & Training Manager, Total Petrochemicals UK Ltd: “The Gold Standard gives us clear guidelines as we endeavour to develop our employees’ skill base. The competency framework is recognised throughout industry as providing new initiatives for employers to realise their potential. It is a live project, allowing scope for employer input to meet their business needs.”
3. Life Sciences Skills Pathways
Life Science companies are experiencing difficulty fulfilling their demand for skilled science technicians to work in these industries. The routes to entry into these highly technical roles have traditionally been through Universities.
This project will establish a new vocational or work-based pathway allowing young people and adults alike to progress from school through apprenticeships and work based foundation degrees into these industry critical technical roles and beyond.
Professor Jim Iley, Director, Science and Education, RSC: “The Royal Society of Chemistry would like to support Cogent’s GIF bid to develop a vocational life sciences progression pathway. We strongly support the aim of increasing the numbers and status of technicians working with the wider science community, and commend the role this bid will play in helping to achieve this.”
The projects will draw on joint funding from employers and the government, via the Skills Funding Agency (SFA) and the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) via its GIF Best Market Solutions fund.
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 Skills 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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