New Technical Apprenticeship Service for science-based Industries
17 Oct 2011
London — The Technical Apprenticeship Service (TAS) is an easy to use recruitment service for employers, providers and apprentices. It was officially launched on 13 Oct, by Cogent Chairman, Tom Crotty at Cogent SSC’s Annual Skills Forum hosted by Wirral West MP, Esther McVey, at the House of Commons.
It is a new subsidiary of Cogent, initially funded from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) Growth and Innovation Fund, but with a longer term remit to be fully self-sustaining.
The newly-formed Technical Apprenticeship Service is an employer-led organisation which attracts, selects and places technical apprentices. It is aimed at companies involved in the process manufacturing industries: chemicals, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, polymers and associated industries.
The service aims to increase Apprenticeship numbers in the Process Sector by addressing barriers - for example, establishing new provision in areas which have previously lacked specialist technical training. The over-riding aim is finding “real jobs for real apprentices” but TAS will support employers who might not be able to employ the apprentice at the outset.
It will also encourage apprentices to progress to higher levels of learning and promote the new Higher Level Apprenticeships, particularly in Life Sciences. With University fees escalating, this offers a debt-free route to degree-level employment while gaining essential workplace skills.
Jayne Edwards, newly appointed managing director of TAS said, “the wide support for TAS demonstrates the importance of science-based apprenticeships to the economy; we look forward to supporting employers, particularly SMEs, in finding the right calibre of people for their business.”
Phil Jones, CEO of the National Skills Academy Process Industries added, “the Skills Academy will support the delivery of TAS - and we’ve already identified a strong appetite from employers who are seeking talented, motivated individuals, who are equipped with the specialist, high value, skills these industries need to succeed.”
Joanna Woolf Cogent CEO added: “The launch of TAS will support companies to boost their skills base, increase capacity to meet future demand and is a cost-effective way to address skills gaps.”
