News
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 …
Health, science and pharma apprenticeships among top for management, HR support and learning
20 Nov 2018
Apprentices working in health, science and pharma receive among the most management support and learning opportunities. An analysis of post-apprenticeship data captured over five years from more than…More …
Summary of Budget 2018 – business, skills and education
30 Oct 2018
Contribution of small companies to apprenticeship levy to be reduced from 10% to 5%: amounting to a total of £695m package to support apprenticeships £20 million worth of new “skills pilots” announ…More …
Apprenticeship and levy statistics: October 2018
26 Oct 2018
Statistics covering latest monthly apprenticeship starts, apprenticeship service registrations and commitments, and apprenticeship levy information. There have been 369,700 apprenticeship starts repo…More …
First Science Industry Apprenticeship Survey shows sector employers not recovering apprenticeship levy
22 Oct 2018
Strategic sector welcomes Government promise to consult further on levy arrangements The Science Industry Partnership’s (SIP) first ever Apprenticeship Survey, released today, has highlighted that th…More …
Government announces reforms to ensure the Apprenticeship Levy provides people with the skills they need to succeed
02 Oct 2018
The government has announced a package of reforms to ensure the Apprenticeship Levy provides people with the skills they need to succeed. The changes are aimed at providing flexibility for businesses…More …
New National Occupational Standards
01 Oct 2018
Via the SIP skills partner, Cogent ,work continues to be undertaken on National Occupational Standards (NOS) and frameworks/qualifications for the Devolved Nations. In 2018/19, new NOS will be devel…More …
Conservative conference: Chancellor announces review of apprenticeship levy rules
01 Oct 2018
The Chancellor Philip Hammond has announced plans for changes to the apprenticeship levy, promising a further review of the system, a move welcomed by the SIP. In his speech to the Conservative party…More …
Replacement Apprenticeship Standards for withdrawn Science Industry Framework
27 Sep 2018
September saw the withdrawal of the following ESFA Apprenticeship Frameworks: Life Science and Chemical Science Professionals Higher ApprenticeshipsProcess Manufacturing Intermediate & Advanced A…More …
Apprenticeship and levy statistics: September 2018
27 Sep 2018
Statistics covering latest monthly apprenticeship starts, apprenticeship service registrations and commitments, and apprenticeship levy information have been released. The number of apprenticeship st…More …
Latest Apprenticeship funding bands
27 Sep 2018
This sets out the latest funding bands that will apply for existing apprenticeship frameworks and apprenticeship standards. The new 30 band structure for funding bands came into effect on 1 August 201…More …
Government announces advanced maths premium for providers
27 Sep 2018
The advanced maths premium is funding for additional students studying specified level 3 maths qualifications. It is paid at a rate of £600 per year per additional student for one or 2 years, dependin…More …
Publication of Level 4-5 Education Review
27 Sep 2018
The Department for Education (DfE) has published its evidence overview for the Review of Level 4-5 Education. Taught (or “Classroom based”) Level 4-5 education is delivered in Universities, Further E…More …
UK Skills Survey 2017 findings
27 Sep 2018
DfE has published the 2017 UK Employer Skills Survey. It is one of the largest business surveys in the world, with the data in this report based on survey responses from over 87,000 employers. The re…More …
CIPD reports on employer views of T levels: awareness still low
27 Sep 2018
The CIPD, the professional body for HR and people development, has published research on employers’ views of T levels. The SIP has previously responded to a major Government consultation on T levels s…More …
New research on apprenticeships highlights gender differences
27 Sep 2018
This review highlights gender and level differences across apprenticeships, largely driven by sectoral variation. The findings show that apprenticeships at L3 deliver a higher return for males, but t…More …
2018 annual report on education spending in England
27 Sep 2018
A new report from the Institute of Fiscal Studies released in September highlights: Spending on the 3- and 4-year-old free entitlement to early education has risen from almost nothing in the early…More …
Schools not yet meeting Lord Baker’s technical career guidance rules
27 Sep 2018
In a survey of FE providers commissioned by the Department for Education, only five per cent of respondents said all schools were compliant in allowing training providers to enter schools to speak to…More …
Actions to boost employability in Wales highlighted in progress report
27 Sep 2018
The launch of the £12m Communities for Work Plus programme, which has already helped 400 people into work; a new £10 million Skills Development Fund to boost regional skills provision and target skill…More …
New Scottish Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science
27 Sep 2018
The First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, has announced Richard Lochhead as Minister for Further Education, Higher Education and Science. The First Minister said: “Richard brings his significant experienc…More …
Higher Level Apprenticeships in Northern Ireland - employer guide
27 Sep 2018
This new leaflet outlines the Higher Level Apprenticeship programme and the provision available to NI employers. It promotes Connect to Success NI, a unique site which enables employers to advertise…More …
SIP Apprenticeship Survey reveals science industry companies are not recovering apprenticeship levy
26 Sep 2018
Members invited to November survey launch events SIP Apprenticeship Survey reveals science industry companies are not recovering apprenticeship levy The extensive Apprenticeship Survey, carried out…More …
New SIP Provider Map Search function for STEM provision
26 Sep 2018
The SIP is delighted to launch a new provider map SIP website function. The provider search function is placed on the top bar next to the main search function on the homepage. This map shows the loc…More …
AI Workshop will examine skills required for sector
26 Sep 2018
The SIP is hosting AI Working Group after its Board Meeting on the 22nd November and all SIP members are invited to attend. Confirmed speakers are: Professor Jackie Hunter, CEO BenevolentBio who d…More …
SIP delivers commitments in Phase one of Life sciences Sector Deal
26 Sep 2018
The SIP has achieved on all of its deliverables which were included in Phase 1 of the Life Science Sector Deal including: Monitoring the impact of the Apprenticeship levy and uptake of apprentice…More …
More promotion of apprenticeships called for by SIP
26 Sep 2018
The SIP has express some concern from its members about the prolonged difficulties several employers are experiencing in filling vacancies for key STEM Apprenticeship roles. While the SIP recognises…More …
SIP Cambridge members meet to progress devolution of skills agenda
26 Sep 2018
The members of SIP Cambridge met in July, at a meeting hosted by MedImmune, with SIP Chair Jacqui Hall, opening the meeting. During the meeting the Office for Life Sciences (OLS) updated the Group on…More …
Apprenticeship Standards Update
26 Sep 2018
The Life Science and Industrial Science Trailblazer (LSIS) continues to make significant progress across a range of standards, particularly at the higher level. BioinformaticsThe Trailblazer has ach…More …
Seeking SIP Ambassadors!
26 Sep 2018
SIP Ambassadors are the SIP’s national network of industry professionals from member companies who engage, inspire and inform young people about careers within the science based industries and pathway…More …
Pupils enthused by the Enterprising Science Project – big thanks to Ambassadors
26 Sep 2018
SIP has complete delivery of its Enterprising Science project which spanned Greater Manchester, Kent and Medway, and Cheshire and Warrington. It has seen young people enthused to take up a career in…More …
Online Lesson Plans include focus on diversity in STEM
26 Sep 2018
This recently completed series of lesson plans for teachers in the North Yorkshire and East Riding are now ready for download via Calderdale Colleges’ online portal. The plans are designed to support…More …
Annual SIP Members’ Survey online now
26 Sep 2018
The annual SIP Members’ Survey is designed to inform the SIP Business Plan and Operational Plan for 2019, ultimately translating into SIP deliverables. The survey is structured under the three main a…More …
SIP members and apprentices announced as regional winners in National Apprenticeship Awards
26 Sep 2018
Now in their 15th year, the National Apprenticeship Awards celebrate outstanding apprentices, employers and individuals who go above and beyond to champion apprenticeships across England. The awards…More …
