Cogent, the Skills Council for the science-based industries, has today 24 November, announced the launch of a series of UK-wide employer-led and owned skills programmes co-funded by the second round of the Employer Investment Fund (EIF), which is managed by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES).

The £4.8m EIF investment is across three extensive programmes, which have been shaped by the employers themselves and are aimed at raising employer ambition and investment in skills. They are central to a strategy for growth, in which skills are a key lever in delivering economic expansion across the UK. 

Tom Crotty, Director of Ineos, and Chair of Cogent's Board said: "This is really great news for employers across the process, life sciences and nuclear industries. Their leadership has been central to securing funding for these successful bids which are centred around what employers want.

"The EIF is a positive force and a key investment in skills. Through this investment Cogent will work with employers to raise ambition on skills increasing the productivity and competitiveness of these vital, strategic global industries. This approach to investment led by the UKCES ensures the best return on Government funds and clear employer ownership of the programmes so essential for success."

The EIF funding is set to replace previous "core" grant funding which all Sector Skills Councils will see come to an end in March 2012. It means that Government funds are even more transparently invested in tangible deliverables linked to higher skill levels across the workforce. The fund provides the opportunity for SSCs to take action to establish the skills infrastructure, to change behaviours and to influence positively the way employers secure sustainable skills investment across the UK.

The EIF funding is contestable, and all the bids submitted to the UKCES have been the subject of a thorough evaluation against some robust criteria. Central to this is the requirement for the proposals to be underpinned by employer input, as well as contribution in time and money. Funding is limited, and to ensure impact, only ambitious and high quality proposals make the grade. All the programmes must be sustainable and must leave a lasting legacy.

Cogent CEO, Joanna Woolf added: "The allocation of funding under EIF will see us achieve real traction with employers in the science-using sector.  The employers in turn will feel more "ownership" for these initiatives and the solutions they themselves have designed.

"The projects will build further momentum from employers from the very large to the very small and will lead to higher skill levels across the Sector, as well as ensuring those skills are applied in the workplace, based on the very highest of standards."

Cogent is already successfully delivering two programmes under the first phase of EIF; Life Sciences SMEs and Women and Work.

The successful EIF2 programmes:

Nuclear Life Cycle Skills - supporting a skilled nuclear renaissance
This programme will deliver a dynamic workforce model for the UK's nuclear workforce, providing the clear granular labour market information to enable forward planning and capacity building by providers and employers alike. Knowing the skills required is a fundamental ingredient to successful delivery. The existing Nuclear Industry Training Framework will be extended to embrace the nuclear supply chain, capturing the nuclear relevant training and qualifications to be recorded on the Nuclear Skills Passport managed by the National Skills Academy Nuclear. These programmes will support the UK's Nuclear Industry ambitions both within the UK and to allow it to compete in the global civil nuclear market.  

Upskilling the Process Industries - Gold Standard 
To establish the employer-led Gold Standard competency framework as the Process Industry standard for skills and to expand into areas such as formulation, water treatment, explosives and industrial biotechnology.  Through 3 strands:

•    Expanding Gold Standards coverage into new sectors
•    Developing products for new sectors
•    Developing products for existing sectors 

The National Skills Academy Process Industries, Cogent's delivery arm, helps employers assess workforce capability against the Gold Standard, to identify skills gaps and opportunities for performance improvement.

Mobilising Life Sciences Skills for Growth  -  A Skills Gateway
Through this strand Cogent and partners will sustain the skills community and infrastructure to support home-grown talent to be the best it can be. The strand is also aimed at increasing the UK value proposition internationally by growing a skilled life sciences workforce.  Cogent will undertake more detailed research to better understand the needs of this growing and developing sector and produce a BioHorizons series of labour market reports, as well as working with employers to develop employer-led skills solutions to drive the life sciences economy forwards. Central to this strand is a Window on the World for life sciences which will be delivered through an interactive web portal.