Skills development for R&D in the UK

The UK workforce is globally renowned for its world-class skills and its commitment to ongoing training and development. There is a wide selection of university, private and government-funded skills development programmes across the UK, providing leading-edge training at the highest levels of science, technology and business.

1. Overview

Many of the world's most innovative companies have established R&D facilities in the UK to take advantage of the UK’s highly skilled workforce.

A key feature of the UK workforce is its strong commitment to maintaining and developing the world-class skills required to keep UK-based businesses at the forefront of global R&D activities.

In addition to university training opportunities and government-subsided skills programmes, the UK is particularly well served by over 8,000 commercial training organisations that provide basic training courses through to leading-edge skills development in high-technology sectors. Indeed, over £18 billion is spent annually on private sector training programmes in the UK.

2. Maximising UK university expertise

Businesses involved in R&D projects in the UK can enhance the skills of their employees by collaborating closely with the UK’s university network.

UK universities have extensive experience in developing tailored training programmes with individual companies to meet specific skills requirements.

“We are working in conjunction with Oxford Brookes University to define specific courses that are tailored to our needs.”

Dr Arthur Kaindl,

Managing Director,

Siemens Magnet Technology

There is also a range of UK and European-funded collaborative R&D programmes that enable businesses to enhance the skills of their employees by working in partnership with leading scientists and accessing next-generation facilities and technologies.

“The University of Bristol and other leading universities have undertaken research contracts and training support for Toshiba Telecommunications Research Laboratory(TRL) worth around US$11 million over the past five years or so. Toshiba gets access to the UK ’stop wireless and telecoms researchers and a great pool of talent from the student base. The investment really is a win-win scenario for all parties.”

Professor Joe McGeehan,

Managing Director,

Toshiba Telecommunications Research Laboratory

UK universities are also renowned for providing advanced senior management training through world-class MBA programmes. For example, the London Business School MBA programme is independently rated as the best in Europe.

3. Government-subsidised skills programmes

The UK Government provides over £10 billion annually for specialist skills programmes to enhance the development of the UK workforce. These programmes, which are delivered locally by government agencies in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, support companies by:

• providing a training adviser,

• undertaking a detailed analysis of the training requirements for each individual business,

• helping to source an appropriate training provider,

• providing information on subsidised training programmes, and

• identifying government funding, where available, to support specific training programmes.

There are several key government-subsided programmes for businesses including:

• The National Skills Academy, an initiative to establish a network of employer-led, world-class centres of excellence designed to deliver the skills required by specific sectors of the economy. Employers work in partnership with government organisations and top training providers from both the public and private sectors.

• The Skills for Business Network, which is made up of 25 Sector Skills Councils, independent employer-led organisations that support key business sectors across the UK.

• Investors in People, a national quality standard that helps organisations improve their performance by linking the training and development of their employees to the objectives of the business.

• Learndirect, a network of more than 2,000 online learning centres across the UK that provide access to a range of e-learning programmes. There are more than 550 different courses provided at all levels, offering employers an innovative way to develop the skills of their workforce.

• Apprenticeships, which enable employees across all business sectors to build strong long-term skills in specific industries. In England alone, there over 250,000 people undertaking apprenticeships in 80 different business sectors.

“There is a huge local talent pool – the academic knowledge is second to none. We have a very good relationship with the University of Oxford and have several graduates working for us. It is a significant knowledgesource for us to help deliver new solutions and drive innovation.”

Dr Arthur Kaindl,

Managing Director,

Siemens Magnet Technology

4. Financial support for businesses undertaking training

In addition to government-subsidised skills programmes, direct financial support can be available to businesses with specific training needs. Financial support is typically dependent on various criteria, including the size and location of the applicant business, its activities and sector. UK Trade & Investment can provide advice and guidance on national and regional support programmes for businesses implementing training programmes.

UK Trade & Investment

UK Trade & Investment’s global R&D team includes experts specialising in specific technologies and industry areas. Their role is to provide tailored business solutions and practical support at all stages of the innovation process, acting as your single point of reference to access the full range of R&D resources throughout the UK, including government agencies in:

England: The Learning and Skills Council www.lsc.gov.uk

Wales: The Welsh Assembly Government www.wales.gov.uk

Scotland: Scottish Enterprise www.scottish-enterprise.com

Northern Ireland: Invest Northern Ireland www.investni.com