John Holton Apprenticeship Working Group

The Life Science Industry provides high-quality jobs and highly skilled and technical roles, but the minimum entry qualification is currently perceived to be at a graduate level. However this is model is not always supplying the ‘right people’ with the ‘right skills’ and keeping them Industry often has to supplement a significant investment to ensure they are ‘work ready’

Apprenticeship Working Group Apprenticeship benefits for Industry: Funding and Incentives for Employers for some Apprenticeships Filling Skills Gaps Increased Retention Increased Diversification Clear Pathways and Progression

A large pool of graduates Lack of clarity and awareness over Apprenticeships as a whole – including the current Level 2 and Level 3, and even the new Higher Apprenticeship for Life Sciences. Not valuing this as an alternative route Lack of local provision Poor appreciation of how Apprenticeships fit within the business needs Difficulty in seeing the progression routes for the Apprentice into other roles within the organisation The level of Apprenticeship was not always deemed appropriate for companies entry route Lack of internal support resources for SMEs Concern over increasing headcount Lack of understanding about how to recruit an Apprentice. Apprenticeship Working Group – the issues

Apprenticeship Working Group – current situation High Level Apprenticeship in Life Sciences – contains a Foundation Degree in Biotechnology – knowledge delivered by the University of Kent through distance learning Advance Apprenticeship in Laboratory Science – general qualification Intermediate Apprenticeship in Laboratory Science – general qualification

Apprenticeship Working Group – recommendations Embed the Apprenticeship model within Life Sciences Industries Map current provision against employer needs and identify good practice Develop alternative apprenticeship models to include HNDs and other Foundation Degrees Develop an awareness raising campaign to inspire employer ownership and support particularly SMEs Run pilot initiatives in the South East, East of England and the North West

Apprenticeship Working Group - anticipated outcomes A marketable alternative pathway for entry into the industry other than graduate and post graduate entry An understanding of where we are best placed to leverage the limited resources Create an initial cohort of Life Science Apprenticeships Promotional campaign for industry and learners to understand the apprenticeship model to raise awareness of the benefits (USP)