£53m to boost science talent

Science minister David Willetts will today announce a £52.6 million investment designed to help boost talent within the life sciences, chemicals and industrial science sectors.

The money will help create more than 7,800 education and skills opportunities over a two year period, the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) said.

The science-based industries are critical to our future prosperity

David Willetts MP

The government will be contributing £32.6 million, with £20 million from employers. This will fund a range of ultimately self-sustaining activities expected to improve skills in three sectors.

Speaking at a Science Industrial Partnership (SIP) board meeting today, which includes around 100 leading science sector employers, Willetts will formally announce the SIP’s success in bidding into the government’s Employer Ownership of Skills Pilot fund.

GSK will lead the partnership and will design the vocational training and skills programmes that the life sciences, chemicals and industrial science sectors need to thrive and compete in the global economy, BIS said.

“The science-based industries are critical to our future prosperity – and higher skills are the key driver of their competitiveness,” said Willetts.

“Our investment will help the industry to take the lead investing in the skills they need.”

Support for today’s announcement has been widespread.

Chemical Industries Association chief executive Steve Elliott said: “By implementing the Science Industry Partnership we will be able to deliver all of the exciting potential of the UK science industries to benefit society as a whole and create a new generation of science workers.”

Likewise, Joanna Woolf, chief executive officer of sector skills body Cogent, said: “It’s a partnership in every sense of the word, and we’re delighted that so many companies are stepping up to take part.”