Engage with tomorrow's workforce says Sector Skills Council

A leading industry figure has urged the pharmaceutical manufacturers to invest in the sector's future by working with educational institutions to deliver a pioneering new qualification.

Mark Chapman from Cogent, the Sector Skills Council for the pharmaceutical industry, believes manufacturing companies need to take an active role in attracting new blood into the sector and has urged businesses to come forward in supporting the development of the new Diploma in Manufacturing and Product Design.

The diploma, which is due to be launched in September 2009, will be taught from a curriculum designed in partnership with manufacturers. Manufacturers will have the opportunity to become involved in the delivery of the qualification from next month until November.

The diploma is available to young people aged between 14 and 19 and will be in 27 areas across England, delivered by approved consortia of schools, colleges and employers.

"In order to reap its benefits, it's vital that businesses are actively involved in its delivery," said Chapman from Cogent, the Sector Skills Council for the pharmaceutical industry. "Employers have long spoken of the problems they face attracting young people into the sector, and about the difficulties of finding skilled recruits who can add something to their business. The Diploma in Manufacturing and Product Design offers the chance for employers to take action, by engaging directly with young people while they are still in learning. It is a massive opportunity, and one which the pharmaceutical industry cannot afford to let pass by."

In September this year, new consortia will be invited to apply to deliver the qualification from 2010, extending its reach to more young people. By 2013, the diploma will be available to all young people in England.

Manufacturers can offer their support in a number of was, such as providing work experience placements, for example, said Chapman.

"Employers could help to draw up practical projects, provide Continuing Professional Development opportunities for teachers on the latest technologies and processes, or give talks or presentations about their business to students undertaking the relevant units.

The diploma will be available at three levels - foundation, higher and advanced with learning split into three components. Principal learning is designed to provide a broad understanding of manufacturing processes, while generic learning covers English, maths and ICT. The diploma is part of the second phase of a total of 17 new diplomas, which will be available to all young people in England by 2013. It has been developed by the five sector skills councils representing manufacturing employers in the UK - Cogent, Improve, Proskills, Semta and Skillfast-UK.