Our impact

Building skills, standards, and talent for a net zero future.

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.

Influencing Policy and Shaping the Future Workforce

Our insight led work continues to guide national skills strategy:

Publication of Skills Strategy 2030, forecasting skills demand and future workforce needs.
Production of a Sector Skills Manifesto offering practical recommendations across apprenticeships, T Levels, qualifications and careers.
Securing £6.5 million for medicine manufacturing skills, including a new Centre of Excellence.
Contributing to the £50 million apprenticeships investment announced at the Autumn Statement through employer led lobbying.

Engaging and Inspiring the Next Generation

We work to grow awareness, opportunity and aspiration in science careers:

A network of 1000+ trained Careers Outreach Ambassadors
1,382 volunteering hours delivered to inspire future talent
A dedicated career website aimed at reaching half a million careers seekers over the next 2 years

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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