Listen to the latest Apprenticeship Skills Reform information from your office on August 3rd.

On August 3rd we will partner with Cogent Skills, the sector skills body for the science industries, to stream a free webinar for Cluster companies. The webinar starts at 2pm and the agenda includes:

• What the apprenticeship reforms mean 
• The apprenticeship levy and how the funding works for levy-paying and non-levy-paying employers 
• The transition from frameworks to standards and the requirement for independent end-point assessment 
• Using apprenticeships for workforce development, realising the potential of existing employees 

To book your place and access the webinar, please use https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/94496810726442754

Please note: this webinar is for employers only

Coastal STEMFest: 'Setting the Course for Careers in STEM'.

Coastal STEMfest ran between February and March for a second consecutive year. The purpose of the festival was to inspire local students to pursue careers in STEM. The festival included college STEM evenings, university taster days, in school activities, site visits and the Big Bang@Butlins. 

Cluster members including GSK, Inpress Plastics, and Electronic Temperature Instruments Ltd took part in the festival, helping to make it a success. 

Have you ever wondered what a Big Bang actually is? This short video captures both the excitement of the event and the benefits to students and industry alike.

If you would like more information on Coastal STEMfest and would like to get involved, please go to the Coastal STEMfest website.

Crawley STEMfest now in its sixth year

The highly successful Crawley STEMfest is back for its sixth year. The festival launched with an enjoyable and informative evening at Cluster member Welland Medical's facilities in Crawley.

Crawley STEMfest aims to enthuse and inspire the next generation of young people. The programme matches schools and businesses to develop the tools and techniques that will drive the economy of the future. Included within the programme of events are in-school interactive activities, workshops, a public town centre event, site visits and the Big Bang Fair South East in Ardingly which over 9,000 students will attend.

For more information and to get involved, please visit the Crawley STEMfest website.

Getting Scientific with STEM- Raising the Profile of STEM in the County

Many of you with West Sussex residential addresses will have recently received the latest edition of West Sussex Connections. Page 3 demonstrates our intentions to raise the profile of STEM further to parents and residents. The article provides a summary of some of the exciting things being delivered across the county as we work together to increase the 'science capital' of students and encourage them to consider careers involving these important subjects.

Thank you to everyone that has been involved in delivering activities across the County.

For those who have not received a copy of the Connections, you can access the online version here. 

Innovation UK Feasibility Funding

UK businesses can apply for a share of £8.5 million to fund feasibility studies in infrastructure systems or health and life sciences.

Full details can be found here.

The deadline for registration is midday June 28th and applications need to be submitted before July 5th.

LEADER Grants available to rural businesses

LEADER grants are available to small businesses and community groups based in qualifying rural areas of West Sussex, Lewes district and Hayling Island.

The LEADER funding programme supports job creation and business growth in rural communities.

Small businesses based in rural areas can apply for grants towards capital investments including purchase of equipment and machinery plus the development of premises.

Click here to read the full story.

For further information, eligibility criteria and details on how to apply, visit the Business West Sussex website.

Or if you would like to discuss your interest first-hand, call the LEADER team on 03302 228001. 

Fisher Clinical becomes a chartered Toastmasters Club

We’re delighted to congratulate Fisher Clinical, Horsham as their corporate Toastmasters Club has been recognized as an official club (chartered). Toastmasters is an international organization promoting low-cost, high value employee skills development in leadership and communication.

For more information on clubs across West Sussex click here.

For information on Horsham Toastmasters click here

New ‘centre of excellence’ for eye care opens in Shoreham

A brand new purpose-built ophthalmology department opening in Shoreham will provide access to some of the best ophthalmic assessment and surgical facilities in the country.

Western Sussex Eye Care | Southlands is a new service being launched at Southlands Hospital on Tuesday 27 June, following a multimillion pound investment by Western Sussex Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

The full press release can be found here. 

Showcase your innovative business for free at Innovate 2017

Innovate UK is offering the opportunity to some highly innovative businesses to showcase their innovation for free in November at Innovate 2017.

Hosted by Innovate UK, Innovate 2017 is the UK’s leading innovation conference, exhibition and networking event dedicated to innovative UK businesses and features a packed two-day programme that will stimulate opportunities for innovation, export and investment for the UK’s most innovative companies.

Visit the site for more details.

ABPI Launch ABPI LINC

The Association of British Pharmaceutical Industry have launched ABPI LINC (Library of Initiatives for Novel Collaborations) which is a useful tool that allows academic researchers to search for open opportunities for collaboration with the biopharmaceutical industry.

To access ABPI LINC click here.