Jackie Wilbraham, R & D Science Policy Director
Astra Zeneca
Championing skills development in science
AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business engaged
in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of
prescription pharmaceuticals and the supply of healthcare services.
A global pharmaceutical company employing 65,000 people worldwide,
AstraZeneca has research and development and production sites
throughout the UK where approximately 4000 people are employed in
R&D.
The UK economy is largely dependent for its success upon the
innovations made predominately, by the pharmaceutical and aerospace
sectors. Companies within these sectors rely on the UK science base
for supply of trained scientists and engineers and the dynamic
interactions with academia that engender the creation of ideas and
promote innovation. AstraZeneca remains concerned that the erosion
of the science base both in UK and Europe is having a negative
impact on the level of innovation. In order to sustain a vibrant
and flourishing environment for economic growth it is imperative
that the teaching of science, technology, engineering and
mathematics (STEM) subjects and provision of skilled scientists and
engineers is elevated in importance and pursued vigorously.
As part of its commitment to the science base, AstraZeneca works
with the ABPI, DfES and the UK Science Forum, Semta and other
stakeholders to develop and strengthen the UK STEM education and
research training systems. Within Semta, through the bioscience
Sector Strategy Group (SSG), the work is focussed on the
development of the bioscience Sector Skills Agreement (SSA). Jackie
Wilbraham, R & D Science Policy Director at AstraZeneca and
member of Semta’s bioscience SSG is passionate about the need to
strengthen the UK’s science base. “- the strength of the science
base is critical to the development of a flourishing economy. ,”
she says. “We rely on a strong science base to provide the talented
individual and interchange with the academic community that we need
to sustain development of our business and the delivery of a flow
of new medicines that bring benefit for patients and add value for
wider society.”
Skills needs
AstraZeneca recently led the ABPI skills task force to examine
the skills landscape for the pharmaceutical industry in the UK. The
report revealed a number of critical skills shortages and
opportunities for the UK. . These fall into five major areas: in
vivo sciences (physiology, pharmacology, toxicology and pathology);
clinical research; chemistry (medicinal and analytical);
engineering; maths and statistics. In vivo sciences emerged as a
top priority, leading to a taskforce being set up to analyse the
picture across those disciplines in more detail and develop
solutions to address the issues. The findings of the taskforce will
be a vital contribution to developing the bioscience SSA that is
more broadly focussing on skills requirements at technician,
graduate and postgraduate level, along with the need for leadership
and management to drive businesses forward.
Practical work
One is the lack of practical experience of those entering the
industry, a situation which has deteriorated to such an extent that
it needs radical action, Jackie stresses. “Because at each stage
there’s been a lack of practical work the situation is exacerbated
throughout the system so when students progress to degree level
they lack the practical skills and when they come to us they don’t
demonstrate the level of skill we need,” Jackie explains. “We
believe Semta has a role to play here in helping to support and
shape some of the courses that are on offer - particularly in the
FE sector – so they develop the relevant skills employers
need.”
Science Diploma
Through its work with the UK Science Forum, AstraZeneca has
taken a holistic view of the STEM education and research training
system, from primary teaching through to postgraduate training,
looking to identify gaps and opportunities. “The recommendations in
the ‘Next Steps’ document to increase the number of pupils studying
chemistry, physics and maths are welcome” Jackie says, and she
supports the need for a Science Diploma for 14-19 year olds.
“Having a 14-19 science diploma would provide an alternative route
for young people to study science which is currently not available.
We see it as a more practical form of study which would help to
encourage and equip young people to work in science and provide
vocational and academic pathways that could lead successful
candidates on to further and higher education.” Jackie strongly
believes that the study of science, technology, engineering and
maths (STEM) is important for the UK skills base in general, as
many careers need scientific understanding.
Teacher support
The quality of teaching and lack of appropriate support for
teachers is thought to be one of the reasons for the decline in
STEM students. Jackie explains: “It’s clear that support for
teachers is less than ideal, particularly for those teaching
outside their discipline. We have a number of activities that
provide opportunities for teachers to enhance their CPD to improve
the quality of their teaching.” Among them is the AstraZeneca
Science Teaching Trust. An independent charity run by a board of
trustees, the Trust focuses largely on primary schools, now
extending to secondary schools, and sets up programmes to support
young people and teachers in the study and teaching of science.
Holding science and careers fairs and sending Science and
Engineering Ambassadors into schools are further ways in which the
company raises awareness and stimulates interest in science
careers. “It’s partly the responsibility of employers to share what
a career in our industry is like,” Jackie maintains. “With the
combined actions of individual employers, SSG members, Semta and
representative bodies, we can improve the UK science base for the
benefit of all stakeholders.”
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