Empowering the Future: Liverpool City Region’s Skills Training Initiative
In a significant move to bolster the local economy and address the skills gap in critical sectors, the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority (LCRCA) has awarded a substantial grant of £1 million to St Helens-based Inovus Medical. This funding, which Inovus will match, aims to establish an embedded skills training programme for young people across the city region. This initiative is part of the broader LCR Innovation Zone Programme, which is projected to create 8,000 new jobs and attract up to £800 million in investment over the next decade.
A Vision for Youth Empowerment
The six-month skills programme is designed for participants aged 16-18, providing them with the opportunity to expand their skillsets and gain hands-on experience in various fields. Trainees will receive personalized mentorship during their placements at Inovus Medical, with opportunities available in engineering, product development, sales, marketing, and finance. This comprehensive approach not only equips young people with practical skills but also fosters a sense of confidence and ambition.
Following the pilot phase, the programme is set to expand to six additional sites across the city region, ensuring that career opportunities and practical experiences are accessible to young people in every local authority area. This initiative is a crucial step towards creating a robust talent pipeline for the future.
Driving Growth and Innovation
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, emphasized the importance of the Innovation Zone in driving growth and creating new opportunities. He stated, “By building on our existing strengths and backing innovative companies like Inovus Medical, we’re not only helping to fill the skills gap in critical sectors like life sciences but also opening up new career paths for young people.” Rotheram’s vision is clear: to inspire the next generation and ensure that they have the tools and opportunities to succeed in a rapidly evolving job market.
Inovus Medical: A Commitment to Giving Back
Inovus Medical, founded in 2012 by Dr. Elliot Street and engineer Jordan Van Flute, specializes in creating accessible and affordable simulators for surgical training. With a strong track record of training local apprentices, Inovus is well-positioned to lead this initiative. Dr. Street expressed his commitment to giving back to the community, stating, “It’s important to us that we now give back and create new opportunities for talented and enthusiastic young people in our home base of St Helens and the wider city region.”
The company, headquartered at the St Helens Manufacturing and Innovation Campus, employs around 50 people and has a new headquarters in Florida. Inovus exports its technology to over 80 countries, addressing a global surgeon shortage and ultimately saving lives. This international reach underscores the significance of the skills programme, which aims to cultivate local talent that can contribute to such impactful work.
Addressing the Skills Gap
The skills programme is not just about providing training; it is also about addressing the specific skills shortages identified by Health and Life Sciences businesses in the Liverpool City Region. Underrepresented roles include software engineers, product engineers, advanced manufacturing technicians, digital marketing professionals, finance experts, and sales personnel. By focusing on these areas, the LCR Innovation Zone Programme aims to create a workforce that is well-equipped to meet the demands of a growing industry.
Cllr Marion Atkinson, Cabinet Member for Employment, Education and Skills, highlighted the importance of equipping local people with the skills necessary to benefit from job opportunities in the life sciences sector. She stated, “Inovus is a perfect fit to help plug the city region’s life sciences skills gap.” This collaboration between the LCRCA and Inovus Medical is a testament to the commitment to fostering local talent and ensuring that young people have access to meaningful career paths.
A Collaborative Effort for a Brighter Future
The LCR Innovation Zone Programme is part of the Government’s national Investment Zone Programme, which aims to stimulate economic growth and innovation across the UK. Cllr Liam Robinson, Cabinet Member for Innovation, emphasized the thriving health and life sciences sector in the Liverpool City Region, stating, “It’s vital we develop local talent to take advantage of the new opportunities.”
Inovus Medical’s dedication to training and innovation aligns perfectly with the goals of the Innovation Zone Programme, making it an ideal partner in this initiative. Together, they are working to develop a new programme that will foster the next generation of talent and help bridge the skills gap in the life sciences sector.
Conclusion: Shaping the Scientists of Tomorrow
The embedded skills training programme launched by Inovus Medical, supported by the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, represents a significant step towards empowering young people and addressing the skills gap in critical sectors. By providing hands-on experience, mentorship, and access to career opportunities, this initiative is set to inspire the next generation of innovators and leaders in the life sciences field.
As the Liverpool City Region continues to grow and evolve, initiatives like this will play a crucial role in ensuring that local talent is nurtured and developed, ultimately contributing to a thriving economy and a brighter future for all. The commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion at the core of this programme further underscores its potential to create lasting change in the community.
For more information on Inovus Medical’s latest innovations, you can read about their new modules for the LapAR laparoscopic simulator here.