News
More support to help employers offer T Level industry placements
24 May 2019
The Department for Education (DfE) has published an update on its planning for T Level industry placements, based on feedback and trialling to date. It includes a new package of measures to support em…More …
Royal Society of Biology publishes revised accreditation criteria
17 May 2019
The Royal Society of Biology has recently undertaken a quinquennial review of the accreditation criteria. Accreditation by the RSB recognises and supports the advancement of skills and education in th…More …
Calling all industry experts!
08 May 2019
Applications are now open for Membership of the 15 occupational IFaTE Route Panels, the panels applicable to SIP are Health & Science and Engineering & Manufacturing. The 15 Route Panels repr…More …
SIP attends ABPI Annual Conference & Dinner 2019
03 May 2019
The Science Industry Partnership took a stand at the important annual event, which was themed Enhancing a Life Sciences powerhouse in a post-Brexit world. Key themes focused on how the UK can enhance…More …
2030 Skills Strategy: getting fit for the future
02 May 2019
The SIP’s Life Sciences 2030 Skills Strategy work, in conjunction with the Office for Life Sciences (OLS), ABPI and BIA is now underway under the leadership of Alex Felthouse, Managing Director, Eisai…More …
SIP Board agrees Business Plan
02 May 2019
At the February Board the SIP agreed the Business Plan for 2019. A new vison and objectives were agreed as follows: SIP VisionEmployers working in partnership with government to establish the skills…More …
Science sector bucks the trend on apprenticeships
02 May 2019
The SIP continues to monitor the uptake of science industry apprenticeships, and this is a key indicator in the SIP’s operational plan. The Sector continues to see growing numbers, and we can now see…More …
The Science of Apprenticeships at AstraZeneca in Cambridge: Blog by Georgia Cresswell
02 May 2019
“Earlier this week all the AstraZeneca apprentices and their managers from all areas of the business got together for a jam-packed day to celebrate apprenticeships. “The day brought together apprentic…More …
SIP Chair gives insights into tackling the STEM skills gap and shares GSK experience
02 May 2019
At the end of last year, SIP Chair Dr Malcolm Skingle set out his views at the Westminster Higher Education Forum Keynote Seminar; next steps for tackling STEM skills gaps - widening participation, im…More …
SIP Standards Update
02 May 2019
The SIP facilitated Life Science and Industrial Science Trailblazer (LSIS) continues to make excellent progress. The Life Science and Industrial Science Trailblazer (LSIS) has achieved approval for t…More …
SIP Process Industries (SIPPI) sets out its work for 2019
02 May 2019
SIPPI, the SIP’s process industry strategic forum, held a successful meeting in February; discussions regarding the sign-posting/coordinating role that SIPPI has agreed to take on are continuing with…More …
Devolved Nations NOS developed
02 May 2019
SIP also supports National Occupation Standards (NOS), Apprenticeship framework and qualifications development in the devolved nations, important for members with sites in these locations. The portfo…More …
SIP Members get on board with SIP Ambassador Training
02 May 2019
The SIP Ambassador scheme continues to gain fantastic momentum. This last quarter has seen a further 59 ambassadors register taking the total to 493. Successful training sessions took place in the Nor…More …
SIP Ambassador materials get a revamp
02 May 2019
The SIP Ambassador resources: Futures in Science have been given an exciting facelift. They have been updated and rebranded to make them more relevant to young people and the science curriculum as wel…More …
SIP Webinar: Introducing the SIP Ambassador Scheme, 14 June, 12.30-1.30pm
02 May 2019
We would like to invite you to a dedicated webinar to introduce and update you on our SIP Ambassador Programme. The programme was set up to inspire and engage young people into careers within the scie…More …
Levy Usage starts to increase
02 May 2019
Levy paying employers used 22 per cent of their apprenticeship levy funds in the 12 months to the end of January 2019 – a fourfold increase from the 5 per cent drawn down in the first nine months of t…More …
The Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education publishes business plan for 2019/2020
02 May 2019
The IfATE set out a number of objectives and performance indicators for each of their major work areas: Technical Education Apprenticeship Standards Quality Relationships People Influence Chief Exe…More …
Plans launched to boost digital “functional” skills for adults
02 May 2019
Apprenticeships and Skills Minister Anne Milton unveils new qualifications based on rigorous national standards to give adults the digital skills they need. Research shows that digital skills have bec…More …
Spring Statement Education and Skills
02 May 2019
The 10-per-cent co-investment fee that small businesses must pay when they take on apprentices was halved from April 1. Levy-paying employers are now able to share more levy funds across their supply…More …
Inquiry on the Apprenticeships Programme
02 May 2019
The Public Accounts Committee has launched a new inquiry on the apprenticeship programme titled The Apprenticeships programme: progress review inquiry. This session was held on 25th March. It was sta…More …
Guidance: apprenticeships recognition of prior learning
02 May 2019
DfE have published new guidance for training providers, employers and apprentices about the need for, and importance of, recognition of prior learning. The apprenticeship funding rules state that the…More …
SIP Life Sciences 2030 Skills Strategy Consultation Workshop
26 Mar 2019
Date: Tuesday 14th May 2019Location: Broadway House, Tothill Street, London, SW1H 9NQRefreshments available at 10am with a prompt 10.30am start; Lunch at 1pmAs part of the Life Sciences Industrial Str…More …
Level 7 Bioinformatics Scientist Apprenticeship Standard Approved for delivery
18 Mar 2019
The Science Industry Partnership (SIP) is delighted to announce that the Institute of Apprenticeships (IfA) has approved the Level 7 Bioinformatics Scientist Apprenticeship Standard for delivery. The…More …
Spring Statement Education and Skills
14 Mar 2019
The 10-per-cent fee that small businesses must pay when they take on apprentices will be halved from April 1. Levy-paying employers are able to share more levy funds across their supply chains, with t…More …
Pharmaceutical Giant GSK praises the institute over new healthcare apprenticeships
01 Mar 2019
GSK has praised the Institute for Apprenticeships for their support in an industry-leading initiative to develop apprenticeships for the healthcare profession. Stephen Stewart, the firm’s global appr…More …
UK businesses urged to register for continued Horizon 2020 research funding
22 Feb 2019
UK businesses benefitting from Horizon 2020 research funding are urged to register their details with the government so they can continue to receive funding if the UK leaves the EU with no deal. The…More …
IfATE February Newsletter
22 Feb 2019
Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education has published its latest newsletter, which sets out its name change to as it takes on more responsibility for T Levels. From the end of January it…More …
Next generation of artificial intelligence talent to be trained at UK universities
21 Feb 2019
Thousands of graduates to become qualified experts in artificial intelligence (AI) as part of a new joint government-industry package to drive up skills in the AI sector, Business Secretary Greg Clark…More …
Perspectives: fixing the leaks in the STEM pipeline - improving employability, skills development and careers
15 Feb 2019
In November 2018, SIP Chair Dr Malcolm Skingle set out his views at the Westminster Higher Education Forum Keynote Seminar; next steps for tackling STEM skills gaps - widening participation, improving…More …
New Report Shows Major Economic Benefit of UK Downstream Oil Industry
14 Feb 2019
The downstream oil sector provides major economic benefits across the UK, according to a new study released today. Independent findings in the Oxford Economics report ‘The economic contribution of th…More …
New opportunities for clinical pharmacology scientists, with first-ever apprenticeship scheme set to support UK’s Life Sciences Industrial Strategy
04 Feb 2019
The Life Science and Industrial Science Trailblazer has been granted approval for the development of a new national apprenticeship standard for the role of clinical pharmacology scientist, thanks to a…More …
Institute takes on responsibility for Technical Qualifications
31 Jan 2019
From the 31 January 2019 the Institute for Apprenticeships will officially become the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (the Institute). This change represents the Institute’s fo…More …
Addressing skills shortages critical to the future of UK science
30 Jan 2019
The UK must plug an increasing number of science skills gaps to maintain its world-leading position for medicines and vaccines research and development, says the Association of the British Pharmaceuti…More …
U.K. government to invest £100M in artificial intelligence-focused Ph.D.s
28 Jan 2019
As the hard date for Brexit approaches, the U.K. government announced it would invest £100 million ($130 million) to attract 1,000 new Ph.D. placements at universities across the country focused on ar…More …
An Employer and Professional Body Collaboration
18 Jan 2019
The Trailblazer employers involved in the development of the Research Scientist Apprenticeship Standards (chaired by Robert Watts, Covance), have been collaborating with the Royal Society of Biology,…More …
Kymab receives SIP Ambassador Training
08 Jan 2019
Kymab is a therapeutic antibody company working with partners to provide novel solutions in drug and vaccine development. The company is a member of SIP Cambridge. Andy Gosden - Senior Director, Huma…More …
Download SIP Members’ Webinar: Assessing the impact of the Apprenticeship Reforms
08 Jan 2019
In December, this wide-ranging member webinar set out: The current state of apprenticeships in the science sector including uptake, level and gender Use of the apprenticeship levy and its impact o…More …
SIP Workforce Factsheet presents key data
08 Jan 2019
The SIP has published its regular collation of key facts and figures on the UK science industry workforce, based on the latest available data from the Labour Force Survey and the Higher Education Stat…More …
SIP: looking back, looking ahead
04 Jan 2019
The SIP Board meeting at the end of 2018 focussed of the development an ambitious 2019 SIP Business Plan, together with the new Operational Plan. Both will be rolled out from April this year. The Bu…More …
SIP to deliver 2030 Skills Strategy as part of Life Science Sector Deal 2
04 Jan 2019
The joint Government Industry Life Sciences Sector Deal 2 has now been published, and it will see the SIP, with key partners including the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) and…More …
SIP Artifical Intelligence Workshop unites members on the key issues
04 Jan 2019
In November 2018, the Science Industry Partnership held a workshop as part of its aim to understand how the development of AI-based technologies will impact the skills needs of science industry organi…More …
Apprentices Shine at SIP Survey Launch Events
04 Jan 2019
At the end of 2018, the SIP Apprenticeship Survey was successfully launched through SIP in the regions, at MedImmune in Cambridge and Fujifilm in the North East, with both past and present apprentices…More …
Science Apprenticeship Standards Progress Update
04 Jan 2019
The SIP facilitated Life Science and Industrial Science Trailblazer (LSIS) continues to make excellent progress. It has achieved approval for the Level 7 Bioinformatics Standard and EPA; final con…More …
Results from Annual SIP Members’ Survey
04 Jan 2019
19 Members completed the online SIP member survey. The results have informed the SIP Business Plan for 2019, and will see us translating member feedback and contribution to shaping priorities into mea…More …
SIP Process Industries (SIPPI) to take coordinating role on competence
04 Jan 2019
The SIPPI Working Group, a key forum within the SIP, addresses the skills needs of the chemical, petrochemical and petroleum sectors, especially those companies operating high hazard COMAH sites. It…More …
New Year focus on Apprentice Ambassadors
04 Jan 2019
We have been working closely with member companies and interest in the SIP Ambassador scheme has been growing. The network currently stands at nearly 430 ambassadors and 35 have been have been trained…More …
Chemistry Council launches Strategy for Chemistry Fuelled Growth
04 Jan 2019
The Chemistry Council has now produced its Strategy for delivery of Chemistry Fuelled Growth to the UK economy. Education and skills is identified as a key enabler and the strategy identifies 11 skill…More …
Sector wide emphasis on skills underpins National Bioeconomy Strategy
04 Jan 2019
Government has published its National Bioeconomy strategy to 2030. It notes that timing is critical and that setting a bioeconomy vision now, and then driving a fully supported strategy and action pla…More …
ESFA CEO Eileen Milner gives New Year message
04 Jan 2019
The Education and Skills Funding Agency CEO said in her message: “More apprenticeship employers are now benefiting using a transformational leading apprenticeship digital service, who were awarded a…More …
IfA reveals high levy spend
04 Jan 2019
Figures revealed by the IfA indicate that in 2019/2020 the Apprenticeship spend will be close to £2.5bn, even if no one starts on an Apprenticeship in that year, which is being reported as a potential…More …
Government announces reforms to Apprenticeship Levy and announces consultation
04 Jan 2019
In the October budget, the government announced a “package of reforms” around apprenticeships. From April it is now allowing employers to invest a quarter of their apprenticeship funds on people worki…More …
Second wave of IfA Funding Reviews
04 Jan 2019
The Institute For Apprentices is reviewing the funding bands for apprenticeships to “allow as many employers as possible to access funding for apprenticeships.” The IfA says its review aims to “identi…More …
Ofsted Annual Report 2017/18
04 Jan 2019
Points of interest made by Ofsted include: The apprenticeship funding reforms introduced in April 2017 have changed the further education (FE) and skills landscape significantly. The number of prov…More …
Damian Hinds’ Speech: 06 December 2018
04 Jan 2019
The Education Secretary set out his plans to get more people into skilled jobs in a keynote speech at Battersea Power Station. The speech includes many of the key points covered in the T level Action…More …
Welsh Government renew focus on apprenticeships
04 Jan 2019
The Welsh Government has recently issued documents for schools and Local Authorities to support them in delivering relevant Apprenticeships for their workforce, prompted by concerns raised over the ab…More …
Scotland Update
04 Jan 2019
Scottish Government publishes The Scottish Government has recently launched its ‘Delivering for Today, Investing for Tomorrow’ publication governments-programme-scotland-2018-19 it sets out their le…More …
Consultation on National Occupational Standards for a Bioprocess Engineer
02 Jan 2019
We are seeking your organisation’s comments on the development of National Occupational Standards** (NOS) for a Bioprocess Engineer. Cogent Skills is developing a suite of NOS for a Bioprocess Enginee…More …
Medicines Manufacturing Industry Partnership (MMIP) supports Life Sciences 2030 Strategy development and welcomes distinct focus on Medicines Manufacture
07 Dec 2018
The publication of The Sciences Sector Deal 2, a key output from the Government’s Industrial Strategy announced last year, includes the development of a Life Sciences 2030 Skills Strategy. The announ…More …
Science Industry Partnership welcomes Life Sciences Sector Deal 2 and its role in building a new 2030 Skills Strategy
05 Dec 2018
The Science Industry Partnership of employers (SIP) welcomes today’s publication of Life Sciences Sector Deal 2, which is a key output from the Government’s Industrial Strategy announced last year.…More …
