CAVA students receive national recognition at Access to Science awards ceremony
Twelve CAVA stud
ents received national recognition from the Royal Society of Chemistry, at an awards ceremony in London on 13 October 2015.
They were among 26 of the UK’s top-performing students on a dual scheme that grants the Access to Higher Education Diploma in Science along with the Registered Scientist Technician Award (RSciTech).
The awards ceremony, held at the Royal Society of Chemistry’s London headquarters, Burlington House, saw students from across the country presented with their certificates.
The 12-month Access to 
HE Diploma Science programme enables students to meet the entry requirements for University. It is a popular choice with students who may not have received the required A Level results or are changing career. RSciTech, which is now incorporated into the programme, is a professional award that recognises individuals’ competency in a work-based setting.
Recognising the students’ achievements, Sir John Holman, Royal Society of Chemistry President elect, said: “The UK science sector needs more skilled technicians. At the Royal Society of Chemistry, 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 investme
nt they have made in their futures through gaining RSciTech status."
Jean Scrase, of the Gatsby Foundation, which funds individuals to be assessed for RSciTech and also pays their professional body membership fees, said: “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 (RSciTech) 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.”
For further information on the RSciTech, visit http://www.rsc.org/careers/cpd/practising-scientists/
The Royal Society of Chemistry is the world’s leading chemistry community, advancing excellence in the chemical sciences. With over 53,000 members and a knowledge business that spans the globe, we are the UK’s professional body for chemical scientists; a not-for-profit organisation with 170 years of history and an international vision of the future. We promote, support and celebrate chemistry. We work to shape the future of the chemical sciences – for the benefit of science and humanity.
RSciTech is for apprentices, technicians and technical support staff and is highly regarded within both industry and education. Applicants will hold a QCF level 3 qualification (eg A-Level, Tech Level, Applied General, BTEC, NVQ Level 3, Advanced Apprenticeship). However, you can show equivalence through a combination of other qualifications, work-based training and professional experience. As well as possessing relevant scientific/technical knowledge, you also need to have sufficient professional experience to meet the Science Council’s competence standards.
Gatsby is a Foundation set up by David Sainsbury to realise his charitable objectives. Gatsby’s education programme focuses on strengthening science and engineering skills in the UK workforce through a range of innovative programmes and partnerships.
For more information visit www.gatsby.org.uk/education
ents received national recognition from the Royal Society of Chemistry, at an awards ceremony in London on 13 October 2015.
They were among 26 of the UK’s top-performing students on a dual scheme that grants the Access to Higher Education Diploma in Science along with the Registered Scientist Technician Award (RSciTech).
The awards ceremony, held at the Royal Society of Chemistry’s London headquarters, Burlington House, saw students from across the country presented with their certificates.
The 12-month Access to HE Diploma Science programme enables students to meet the entry requirements for University. It is a popular choice with students who may not have received the required A Level results or are changing career. RSciTech, which is now incorporated into the programme, is a professional award that recognises individuals’ competency in a work-based setting.
Recognising the students’ achievements, Sir John Holman, Royal Society of Chemistry President elect, said: “The UK science sector needs more skilled technicians. At the Royal Society of Chemistry, 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."
Jean Scrase, of the Gatsby Foundation, which funds individuals to be assessed for RSciTech and also pays their professional body membership fees, said: “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 (RSciTech) 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.”
For further information on the RSciTech, visit http://www.rsc.org/careers/cpd/practising-scientists/
The Royal Society of Chemistry is the world’s leading chemistry community, advancing excellence in the chemical sciences. With over 53,000 members and a knowledge business that spans the globe, we are the UK’s professional body for chemical scientists; a not-for-profit organisation with 170 years of history and an international vision of the future. We promote, support and celebrate chemistry. We work to shape the future of the chemical sciences – for the benefit of science and humanity.
RSciTech is for apprentices, technicians and technical support staff and is highly regarded within both industry and education. Applicants will hold a QCF level 3 qualification (eg A-Level, Tech Level, Applied General, BTEC, NVQ Level 3, Advanced Apprenticeship). However, you can show equivalence through a combination of other qualifications, work-based training and professional experience. As well as possessing relevant scientific/technical knowledge, you also need to have sufficient professional experience to meet the Science Council’s competence standards.
Gatsby is a Foundation set up by David Sainsbury to realise his charitable objectives. Gatsby’s education programme focuses on strengthening science and engineering skills in the UK workforce through a range of innovative programmes and partnerships.
For more information visit www.gatsby.org.uk/education 