Jackie Wilbraham, R & D Science Policy Director
AstraZeneca
Strengthening the UK science base is
crucial
AstraZeneca is a major international healthcare business
engaged in the research, development, manufacture and marketing of
prescription pharmaceuticals and the supply of healthcare
services.
Employing 65,000 people worldwide,
AstraZeneca has research and development and production sites
throughout the UK where 4,000 people are employed in R&D.
A member of Semta’s Bioscience Sector
Strategy Group, Jackie Wilbraham 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 individuals and interchange with the academic
community that we need.”
AstraZeneca believes that the UK needs to
drive up the importance of science, technology, engineering and
mathematics (STEM) teaching. It works with the ABPI, UK
Science Forum, Semta and others to develop and strengthen STEM
education and training in research.
Better practical skills needed
Radical action is needed to tackle the poor
levels of practical skills of those entering the industry.
Lack of practical work at GCSE and A level has a knock-on effect,
Jackie explains.
“When students progress to degree level they
lack practical skills and when they come to us they don’t
demonstrate the level of skill we need. Semta has a role to
play in helping to shape courses - particularly in the FE sector,
so they develop the relevant skills employers need.”
Backing for science diploma
Jackie backs the need for the Diploma in
Science. “Having a 14-19 science diploma will provide an
alternative route for young people to study science,” she
says. “We see it as a more practical form of study to
encourage and equip young people to work in
science.”
Teacher support
Supporting teachers can help stop the
decline in STEM students. “It’s clear that support for
teachers is less than ideal,” Jackie says. “As a result young
people aren’t receiving the best science education they could so we
provide opportunities for teachers to improve the quality of their
teaching.”
Among them is the AstraZeneca Science
Teaching Trust. An independent charity, the Trust sets up
programmes to support pupils and teachers in primary and secondary
schools in the study and teaching of science.
Employers’ responsibility
Holding science and careers fairs and
sending Science and Engineering Ambassadors into schools are
further ways in which the company 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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