SIP Skills Strategy shows demand for 250,000 jobs in the science industries by 2025

June 29, 2016 - PRLog -- The Science Industry Partnership (SIP) has published its first SIP Skills Strategy (http://www.scienceindustrypartnership.com/media/529053/5202fd_sip_skills_strategy_2015_final_low.pdf), based on a major research exercise into the skills required through to 2025 in order to ensure a globally competitive science industry sector - which includes the chemicals, pharmaceuticals, bio-technology and medical technology industries.

The Strategy contains key recommendations, calling for collaboration between Government, industry and education providers to deliver the skilled workforce the industry needs. This builds on the significant achievements of the SIP so far - which include delivery of over 6000 individual learners into the science sector in a two-year period.

The SIP Skills Strategy is a significant piece of work, over a year in the making, and forecasts the sector's demand for skilled people out to 2025 - a projection of between 180,000 - 260,000 new scientific staff, many in new technology-based occupations. This forecast includes:

up to 142,000 professional level graduate-entry jobs

up to 73,000 technical level apprenticeship-entry roles

George Freeman MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Life Sciences at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department of Health has welcomed the Skills Strategy:

"The report from the Science Industry Partnership shows that the UK science and innovation sector is set to generate over 250,000 skilled jobs over the next 10 years. We are committed to maximising the potential of British scientific talent so that we can drive economic growth through innovation and give more young people the chance to work in this exciting industry."

Malcolm Skingle, SIP Chair and Director of GSK added:

"These key strategic industries change our world for the better in innumerable ways, but there remains a significant and ongoing need to recruit, train and develop employees at both technical and managerial levels as the demand for innovation and higher-level skills intensifies. This important research gives us priority areas which we can target with action and solutions."

The report sets out a number of strategic objectives, linked to key recommendations which include:

Continued collaborative action between central and devolved governments, employers and providers - particularly around Standards development, funding and parity for vocational learning

The critical need to build high quality provision and progression routes for vocational learners through to Higher Education (HE) and ensuring a critical mass of learners to make this provider capacity sustainable

Building awareness of STEM industry careers and entry routes will need continued focus and co-ordination at a national level to maximise impact

Increased availability of practical work experience opportunities for HE students is urgently required, as well as more transfer initiatives between NHS and the private sector

Improved CPD for the existing workforce including easier access and flexible, short courses - including more support for SMEs

Priority attention required on "red list" occupations* - from informatics specialists to the technician workforce and continued monitoring of emerging skills needs

These recommendations are now being taken forward into an ambitious SIP Plan (http://www.scienceindustrypartnership.com/media/526775/fi...) linked to the SIP's operational targets, which include an ambition for 20,000 apprentices over the next 5 years as well as 300 industry placements per annum.

Notes to Editors
The SIP is an established, influential Employer Partnership for the science industries, which takes direct responsibility for sectoral ambition on skills. It is facilitated and supported by Cogent Skills, the UK's strategic body for skills in the science industries, led by sector employers.

The new forecasts set out in the Skills Strategy are based on a robust evidence base of labour market information, skills research and extensive consultation with industry and stakeholders. They represent the most comprehensive and informed 'big picture' of future skills requirements ever produced for the sector.

Full research document 'The Demand for Skills in the UK Science Economy (http://www.scienceindustrypartnership.com/media/529050/si...)'

www.scienceindustrypartnership.c (http://www.scienceindustrypartnership.com/)om