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About us

As the specialists in skills for science and technology, our purpose is to make sure your business; your people and our industry are future ready.

Skills that drive our sector forward

As the specialists in skills for science and technology, our purpose is to make sure your business; your people and our industry are future ready.
We are a not-for-profit charitable organisation with a family of commercially focused companies committed to supporting the skills, needs and ambitions across the UK science and technology sector.

We offer a diverse range of market-leading skills services via the Cogent Skills name, from process safety and competency solutions in high-hazard industries to end to end apprenticeship services for some of the world’s leading science companies.

SIAS offers a market leading independent end-point assessment service for apprenticeships, whilst NSAN is the go to place for skills for organisations in the nuclear sector. 

Our expertise in employer led facilitation enables us to support two industry leading skills groups, Nuclear Skills Strategy Group (NSSG) and The Science Industry Partnership (SIP).  Whilst our support for collaborative industry action on skills extends to initiatives such as the Petroleum Driver Passport Standards.

We are owned by the key Trade Associations from the science industries who actively support us in return for expertise and skills solutions that support the growth and development of skills in our sector.

Future proof your workforce. Attract retain and develop the very best talent today and equip your business for tomorrow.
SIAS is our Ofqual approved End-Point Assessment Organisation for the technical Science and Engineering Apprenticeship sectors.
Our collaborative membership groups cover the UK nuclear and science sectors. Working together to address critical skills gaps, influencing the policy landscape for success.
A range of specialist services to develop your skills base, improve safety and manage risks in high hazard industries.

Skills to better our world

Our Mission: We are here to ensure Science & Technology employers have the skills needed for success. We influence for the good of our sector, harnessing the power of collaboration, and provide industry-specific skills services to create a safe and productive, future-ready workforce

Our values

Our values define who we are, our expectations of ourselves and of each other. They describe how we interact with one another and how we interact with others. In everything we do we are guided by four values that underpin the culture of Cogent Skills:

1

We are welcoming

and inclusive, good things happen when people work for a common goal.

2

We speak out

on the skills issues that matter to our employers. A strong voice is a catalyst for change

3

We are enterprising

delivering services that are continually best in class

4

We care

about our customers, our reputation and our people, operating with integrity

Our purpose

Giving back is important to us. That’s why at our heart, we’re a not-for profit skills specialist, re-investing surplus from our individual businesses for a positive impact in our communities and in the sectors we serve. When we achieve, UK science and technology benefits.
We’re proud to say that the work we do makes a difference on the availability and quality of skills in science and technology. Here’s how we help raise the bar on skills in our industry:
  • Through employer collaborations that promote better standards or approaches to training (including apprenticeships)
  • Using evidence backed research to identify critical skills gaps or barriers to the take up of skills
  • Lobbying policymakers for better, more relevant training and education policies
  • Supporting businesses to implement training more effectively
  • Developing careers information, guidance and ambassadorial support

Our Impact And Involvement

Cogent Skills Impact Report

CELEBRATING 21 YEARS OF IMPACT

As a specialist in skills for science and technology, we’ve been committed to ensuring employers in our industry have the skills needed for success for the last 21 years. To celebrate this milestone, we’re proud to publish our impact report, which highlights some of our key achievements over the last two decades.
View Full Report

A SKILLS MANIFESTO

Our skills manifesto highlights the key challenges facing UK science and technology employers. Its insights are a product of direct engagement with industry and our extensive experience and understanding of the UK skills system. Our goal is to highlight some of the complexities of the skills landscape and propose practical employer supported recommendations for the future. Read More

National Occupational Standards (NOS) for hydrogen

Cogent Skills is proud to facilitate the development of the UK’s first National Occupational Standards (NOS) for hydrogen production, storage, and transportation.
The new technical standards are being developed in collaboration with employers in the industry, which is a critical step towards establishing a highly skilled and competent workforce, and underpins the nation's ambition to become a global leader in green technologies.

Inspiring the next generation of STEM professionals

Members of The Science Industry Partnership are committed to promoting the sector as an attractive place to work. With over 700 trained SIP Ambassadors, working with young people, parents and educators to promote the breadth of career opportunities available within the science-based industries.

SIP Ambasadors are passionate advocates of STEM careers, visiting schools and colleges to present the science based industries in a
positive light; dispelling myths and stereotypes. The network of SIP Ambassadors continues to grow and works in partnership with STEM Learning, a leading provider of education and careers support.

Optimising skills for our nuclear future

The Nuclear Skills Strategy Group brings together all areas of our nuclear industry to encourage and facilitate effective collaboration. Identifying, analysing and addressing the key issues and risks affecting the supply of skills.

Working  together to prevent scarcity of skills in the future, ensuring that the UK has the right capabilities, at the right place at the right time, and maximising the opportunities associated with quality, green jobs.

Employer led, the NSSG provides ‘one voice’ to Government on skills in our sector and represents industry coming together to resolve the most critical skills issues.

Cogent Skills fully recognises its safeguarding responsibilities in conjunction with Every Child Matters, Working Together to Safeguard Children, Keeping Children Safe in Education and The Charities Commission. You can read our Safeguarding Policy here

Skills support for your workforce

If you want to transform the skills in your workforce, invest in your employees’ personal development or drive up standards across our industry, get in touch today to find out how we can help.

Future Ready

Cogent Skills is sector based, working with companies from across the Science and Technology Industries embracing Life Sciences, Industrial Sciences and Nuclear.
© Cogent Skills 2022 All Rights Reserved
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