We are the sector owned and employer led skills body for the science industries that innovate, generate and make - sectors that employ more than half a million people driving industrial growth and net-zero transition.
We exist to support employers and communities by building strong, future‑ready skills across the science industries.
For more than 20 years, our work has helped raise standards and expand opportunity across the sector.
Our organisation today is driven by our insight-led approach, we give employers a credible and influential voice to government, inform policy, and shape the skills solutions our sector needs to thrive.
Our charitable mission supports the development of apprenticeship standards, labour market insight, and careers outreach that inspires future talent and strengthens the UK’s science-based economy.
Our commercial business units work in alignment to support the future of skills through apprenticeships, employment services, qualifications and behavioural safety training for the science industries that we work with.
Cogent Skills aligns specialist businesses to provide apprenticeships, qualifications, safety training and workforce services for the science industries, with surplus reinvested into our charity.
We are here to ensure science industry 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 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 five values that underpin the culture of Cogent Skills:
Giving back to the sectors we support is central to what we do. We reinvest surplus from our commercial businesses to create positive impact in our communities and across the science industries.
We’re proud that our work helps improve the availability, quality and consistency of skills in the industries that innovate, generate and make. Here’s how we help raise skills standards across the science industries:
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.
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.
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.
Members of The Science Industry Skills Partnership are committed to promoting the sector as an attractive place to work. With over 1,000 trained 'Not Just Lab Coats' Ambassadors, working with young people, parents and educators to promote the breadth of career opportunities available within the science-based industries.
Our Ambassadors 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 Not Just Lab Coats Ambassador network continues to grow and works in partnership with STEM Learning, a leading provider of education and careers support.
