ADVICE ON CAREERS IN BIO-SCIENCE

West Briton

Funded by the Learning Skills Council (LSC) it is hoped the project will help in three key areas - the introduction of studying bio-sciences to pupils, helping three bio-science companies in the area with recruitment, and keeping some of Cornwall's brightest students in the county.John Chudley, LSC area director for Devon and Cornwall, said: "This project will play an important part in generating local young people's interest in the bio-science industry.

"Cornwall is very lucky to have some major bio-science businesses either in the county or on its doorstep."

Directed by Peter Howarth-Jarratt, of Cornish production company Wainui SW Ltd, and made in collaboration with the Cornish Education and Business Partnership and Bioapproaches SW, the website features two local bio-sciences businesses - Thermo Fischer PLC, based in Tintagel and West Pharmaceuticals Services, of St Austell. It also includes Plymouth-based firm Biological Marine Association. The site includes a series of interviews with people working at the featured companies, describing what skills and qualifications they needed and what they enjoy about their work, as well as features to highlight the diversity of bio-sciences, including teaching resources on penguin genetics, made with the help of Newquay Zoo, and teaching resources on cheese making, made with the help of local cheese producers and in conjunction with the Agricultural Food Innovation Centre.

Mr Howarth-Jarratt said: "The schools which have seen the website have told me they can't wait to use it.

"Teachers have commented that the interactivity, links to curriculum, links to skill requirements and local industry and content will have a real impact on students."

The website is aimed at youngsters between the ages of 14 and 16, particularly the "gifted and talented".

UKTI Press Release

MEET THE CANADIANS

Wainui co-founder Peter Howarth-Jarratt attended the event and made a range of new contacts both in Canada and on their doorstep.

‘It was a really useful event for us,' said Peter. ‘We made a lot of key contacts in Canada, and off the back of the event we are about to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the multinational Learning Library over there for the supply of a bespoke educational package.

‘We also met a lot of interesting businesses based here in the South West. In particular, meeting animation companies got us thinking about how we could incorporate animation in our products – we could change the voices of animated characters to take on the accents and languages of a target country, for example. In general, it was great to have an event tailored for our sector in particular, which enabled us to not only meet potential clients but also to share experiences and advice with other people in our field.'

Boston USA

We were invited by The South West Regional Development Agency to attend an intermate business partnering dinner for some of the major Bio Tech companies. The event attended by the Minister of Science and Innovation gave full motion the opportunity to share their vision on engaging the new generation of young scientists.

Health and Business Conference

Peter was a guest speaker at Cornwall's first health and business conference aimed at building bridges in the sector. Other speakers included Dr Peter Greenaway, former Chief Scientific Officer for the Department of Health and Co-Chair of the Research and Development and Industry Working Group.