Our impact

Building skills, standards, and talent for our science industries.

Cogent Skills is the sector‑owned, employer‑led skills charity supporting the UK’s science and technology industries to build the talent they need to innovate, compete and achieve a net zero future. Our work over the last two decades reflects deep partnership with employers, government and the wider skills ecosystem, delivering standards, training and insight that power a resilient and future ready workforce.

Setting Standards and Raising Competence

We work with industry to develop standards that ensure safety, quality and capability across high hazard and high growth sectors:

7878+

apprentices trained using Cogent supported standards.

249873+

trained globally using Cogent supported process safety standards.

39862+

trainees trained using NSAN nuclear site safety courses.

1969+

National Occupational Standards developed for science and manufacturing.

Championing the Employer Voice

Cogent Skills provides strategic support to the UK’s key industrial skills groups, covering Nuclear, Industrial Sciences and Hydrogen. These employer led alliances influence government, shape policy and ensure critical industries have a trusted voice in skills decision making.

Shaping the Future Workforce

Our activity has a practical impact on skills in our sector:

Contributed to the Life Sciences Skills Strategy 2035, supporting evidence‑led forecasting of future skills demand and workforce needs .
Developed industry‑led skills frameworks for emerging technologies, including hydrogen and carbon capture, to support workforce readiness .
Development of new and updated apprenticeship and occupational standards, including the hydrogen National Occupational Standards, battery manufacturing, papermaking and Bioinformatics apprenticeship standards.
Supported implementation of the Nuclear Skills Plan through workforce analysis, project management and long‑term skills planning.

Inspiring the Next Generation

We work to grow awareness, opportunity and aspiration in science careers, championing the sector as an inclusive and rewarding place to work:

A network of 1,000+ trained Careers Outreach Ambassadors, promoting real‑world roles, pathways and entry routes across science‑based industries.
1,382 volunteering hours delivered to inspire future talent and showcase positive, purpose‑driven careers in science and technology
A dedicated careers website, connecting early‑career and transitioning talent to apprenticeships, placements and entry‑level vacancies.

A Trusted Skills Charity Reinventing for the Future

As a charitable organisation, Cogent Skills reinvests its surplus to improve training, raise standards and shape the long term skills landscape of the UK’s science industries. We continue to collaborate with partners who share our mission, ensuring employers have the people and capabilities they need to thrive for decades to come.

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