D evolved
ad m inistrations
Cogent Skills, the SIP’s
skills delivery partner,
has also successfully
secured funding to develop
a number of brand new
National Occupational
Standards (NOS) for use in
the devolved nations, which
operate a different skills
system to England. NOS are
statements of the standards
of performance individuals
must achieve when carrying
out functions in the
workplace, together with
the underpinning knowledge
and understanding. The new
NOS, which also underpin
apprenticeships and
qualifications, will be in the
following areas:
W h i l e M at h s i s t h e m o st p o p u l a r
s u b j e c t at a - l e v e l , a l m o st t h r e e -
q u a r t e r s o f st u d e n ts w i t h a n A * - C
i n G C S E m at h s at a g e 16 c h o o s e n o t
t o c o n t i n u e st u d y i n g t h e s u b j e c t
Degree Apprenticeship of their choice.
The essential components common to
all Apprenticeships are included at this
higher level, but students will experience
a supervisory and mentoring relationship
that has always been the distinctive
element of an Apprenticeship.
G overn m ent invest m ent
Alongside these developments, the
government has recently announced a
£16 million investment to increase the
quality of teaching in post-16 maths.
While maths continues to be the most
popular subject at A level, almost three-
quarters of students with an A*-C in GCSE
maths at age 16 choose not to continue
studying the subject. The investment
follows a government-commissioned
review by Professor Sir Adrian Smith
about how to improve 16-18 maths
education in England. Adrian Smith’s
recommendations have been heralded
as a positive step towards enabling the
UK to rise to the challenge of becoming
a data-literate nation. This initiative is
critical: maths ability is absolutely
fundamental to young people’s
1. Bioinformaticians
2. Cheminformaticians
3. Health Economists
4. Qualified Persons
5. Scientific Project
Management
6. Scientific Quality
Processes
employment and education prospects,
and ending the learning of maths at
age 16 has significant implications for
options in later life.
Individuals with average numeracy
levels will certainly be severely
disadvantaged when it comes to pursuing
a STEM (science, technology, engineering
and mathematics) career. This investment
will be a real boost to mathematical and
quantitative skills in the labour market
at all levels.
The sector’s ability to handle Big
Data will continue to give it the edge –
ultimately supporting the innovation
required to improve the health and social
outcomes of the billions of people who
depend on the therapies and technologies
we advance.
Employers interested in becoming
SI