Access to science
The Access to Science programme and Registered Scientist Technician Awards – helping close the skills gap, supporting vocational routes into science, and connecting education and employers.
For Olivia Fitzgerald, the idea of returning to education was exciting. After undergoing major spinal injury and, as a result, missing out a large part of an A-Level academic year, she was determined to pursue her ambitions and study at university.
Inspired by testing times and two years’ difficult recovery, Olivia looked at other options to rekindle her love for science and forge a career in physiotherapy. It was here that she stumbled upon the Access to Science Higher Education Diploma at the City of Liverpool College – a 12-month programme that enables students to meet the entry requirements for university. A practical alternative among those who may not have received the required A-Level results or are changing career, the opportunities seemed promising to Olivia.
"I realised this would be a wonderful opportunity to reinsert myself into a classroom, before university, which was something home schooling wasn’t able to offer," says Olivia, who narrowly missed out on the grades needed for a physiotherapy degree course following her surgery.
Run by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, the Royal Society of Chemistry and a number of training providers, Olivia’s was the second year the programme incorporated the newly formed Registered Scientist Technician Award (RSciTech). As part of the dual scheme - and to receive the professional award - individuals are judged on their competency in a work-based setting.
Working at Zep, which makes chemical products for industrial maintenance, she was tasked with a dye rationalisation project, using spectroscopic analysis to determine spectra and concentration of dyes. "I firmly believe the skills I have learnt through the programme will benefit me greatly in my future career," says Olivia, who has recently started at Manchester Metropolitan University.
"The programme has been influential in achieving my university place and studying for a Bsc Hons in Physiotherapy. Guided by the professional bodies, a new generation of scientists, eager to increase their knowledge and influence in their respective science field has developed," she adds.
Diverse activities
Olivia’s story is echoed by many of the other students, of whom 90 were awarded RSciTech status (from comparing oxygen across different lakes and investigating moisture levels in grain using alternative drying methods, to looking at the effectiveness of plaque removal by varying experiments). The success stories are as diverse as they are geographically spread across the UK.
However, it is not only the students who have benefited from the programme. Employers are finding many positives too. Andrew Thomas, Industrial Research and Development Manager at Zep, described the "palpable enthusiasm" of the students and their desire to interpret briefs and take projects forward.
"Their enthusiasm has been amazing," says Andrew. "The project results will mean we are able to cut the number of our dyes and increase the efficiency of the business. Seeing the students engage with the project has been much more rewarding than I thought it would be."
Celebrating success
Recognising this year’s achievement, the Royal Society of Chemistry hosted a special event at Burlington House in October, celebrating the 25 top achieving students and colleges from across the country.
Presenting the students with their certificates, Sir John Holman, Royal Society of Chemistry president-elect, said: "The UK science sector needs more skilled technicians. We are committed to helping close this skills gap, by supporting vocational routes into science, and connecting education and employers.
"The Access to Higher Education Diploma and RSciTech scheme is a great example of this. I congratulate all the students on the dedication they have shown in their industry projects, and the investment they have made in their futures through gaining RSciTech status."
Raising awareness
The importance of schemes like the Access to Higher Education Diploma and RSciTech are paramount to the UK economy and the scientific sector. At present, there is a particular need for more highly skilled technicians in science based roles – something the Royal Society of Chemistry is keen to address, by raising the profile of technicians.
A report published in 2012, by the Technician Council, indicated an alarming skills gap between current technician numbers in the UK and the 450,000 needed by 2020. The research showed that the science workforce consists of those with both vocational and academic skills. It showed 34% of the industry was non-graduate; 32% graduate and 26% postgraduate.
Jean Scrase, of the Gatsby Foundation, which funds individuals to be assessed for RSciTech and also pays their professional body membership fees, believes the skills and experience the students gain are both rewarding and beneficial to further studies.
"Not only has the experience of being involved in this pilot prepared the students for science courses in Higher Education, but it has also brought the added benefit of helping them gain professional Registered Science Technician status through the Royal Society of Chemistry – formal professional recognition that they can rightly be proud of.
"Personally, to be assessing the projects the students have carried out on behalf of local employers has been a great experience. It’s a fantastic opportunity to see first-hand how they have added capacity to local businesses, whilst also gaining valuable practical technical skills and knowledge."
Olivia Fitzgerald looks back on her time during the programme with a great sense of pride and achievement. "To hold an accredited status is a wonderful accomplishment, which will prove beneficial to future employment within the science sector, as a reflection of the skills we have amassed throughout the programme," she concludes.
See further information on the RSciTech.