Cogent Sector Skills Council relicenced by Government
Monday, 11 May 2009 12:00 AM
Cogent Sector Skills Council has today been relicensed by Skills Secretary John Denham. Cogent is working to ensure the skills supply into the high-value chemicals, pharmaceuticals, nuclear, oil and gas, petroleum and polymer industries.
It is one of four "first tranche" SSCs to have been successful in their application for a further trademark licence to operate as SSCs and has gone through a comprehensive assessment process lead by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills.
Cogent CEO Joanna Woolf said:
"I am delighted to hear this morning's announcement from The Secretary of State that Cogent is one of the first Sector Skills Councils to be relicensed.
"The UKCES (Commission for Employment and Skills) has conducted a thorough and testing assessment of Cogent's performance as the leading skills and vocational qualifications body for the science-based industries.
"Employers have demonstrated their support for Cogent over the past five years through collaboration over labour market research, in qualification design and development, and in their support for our National Skills Academies.
"Cogent's contribution to workforce development has been highlighted by employers in their feedback to the UKCES. We were pleased to be assessed as performing very well in many areas and "good" overall but we recognise the challenge of keeping employers engaged in the skills agenda during the downturn.
"I am confident that our employer-endorsed programme and the flexibility and commitment of our staff will ensure that we continue to deliver what industry needs now and over the next three years."
Skills Secretary John Denham said:
"Now more than ever we need to make sure that all employers are given the support they need to invest skills and prepare for the upturn. SSCs play a vital role as advocates for their industries and in identifying and tackling strategic skills needs. The four SSCs re-licensed today have shown that they are of the highest calibre and are providing a good service to employers in their sector. This comprehensive assessment process will assist in raising standards even further, and ensure that SSCs have the confidence and support of employers in their sector."
The NAO reports and the recommendations of the Relicensing Panel are available at both www.ukces.org.uk and www.nao.org.uk
Cogent Sector Skills Environment
The nuclear industry is going through a renaissance and needs high-level vocational skills that meet its unique Suitably, Qualified, Experienced Personnel requirements (SQEP); the oil and gas industry has a sustained and challenging recruitment demand; the chemicals industry needs people who can support its continued transition to a higher-value added sector; the pharmaceuticals industry is grasping the challenge of developing bespoke drugs; the downstream refining industry is as ever concerned with the very highest standards of competency and the polymers industry is getting to grips with efficiency, innovation and the ability to handle the environmental challenge.
These science-based industries are currently experiencing an ageing workforce and young people are their feedstock of the future. The Government's renewed focus on the 14-19 age group reflects the need to present all careers, but particularly those in science and technology, as attractive and accessible. This, together with apprenticeships, is a key strategic priority for Cogent and its employers.
Higher level skills continue to dominate the Cogent Sector skills agenda. The high GVA industries in the Cogent footprint are skills intensive, and are dependent upon the UK science base for the supply of trained scientists and engineers. This means continued close interaction with Higher Education Institutions to stimulate new ideas and promote innovation. New employer-led Foundation Degrees will play a critical part in driving up these skills.
Cogent support for employers during the recession
Many employers in this Sector are working hard to optimise their performance and keep redundancies to a minimum. Training and skills development will support them to be ready to seize the opportunities that will arise when the economy improves.
The Government and Cogent Sector Skills Council has already made £50m available for employers (in England) in the national skills council's vital science using sector. Through this £50m Training Fund, Cogent is focusing the support and funding available through Train to Gain to take action in tough economic times.
The fund is aimed at both the training of new entrants and apprentices and qualifying existing workers in the Cogent sector. It is part of an offer which includes free advice, as well as fully-funded or low-cost training.
The offer is directed at the specific skills needs of the sector and a range of technical qualifications which embed skills for competitiveness within companies. Training in business improvement as well as management and leadership is also covered.
Cogent is urging employers to build their talent pool through the fund and take advantage of the free advice that goes with it.
About Cogent
Cogent is the sector skills council for the chemicals, pharmaceuticals, nuclear, oil and gas, petroleum and polymer industries. It is the voice of employers in these sectors and is working with them to create a skills environment that businesses need to be innovative, competent, productive and sustainable.
Cogent's objectives are:
To improve productivity and business performance through skills development
To reduce skills gaps and shortages
To increase opportunities to boost skills
To influence skills supply across the training and education spectrum from schools to Higher Education
Cogent currently represents the interests of more than 20,000 businesses employing around 900,000 people. Since its creation it has been building on existing partnerships at regional and national level to drive forward the skills agenda in its science-using footprint.
For more on what we offer go to: www.cogent-ssc.com
For further information contact:
Judith Cowan on 01925 515 215
Or Mervin Dadd on 01925 515 212
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