Cogent projects attract government funding
22 Jul 2011
London – The UK governments’s department for business, innovation and skills (BIS) has agreed funding for three employer-led projects in the ’science-using’ sector, Cogent has announced. The funding, worth in total up to £2.4 million, is under the government’s £50-million Growth and Innovation Fund (GIF).
According to Cogent, 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. x
“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,” said Joanna Woolf, CEO of Cogent.
“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.”
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, making it easier to take on apprentices by removing the barriers that get in the way. 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 education to apprentices who complete their frameworks and an alumni programme will be established to support the promotion of apprenticeships to school children.
2. SME Gold Standard Skills Tool
The Gold Standard is gaining ground with 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.
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.
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.
Growth and Innovation Fund (GIF)
The GIF 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.
