Member Article

Graduate science talent kept in the region

A Newcastle University graduate has been recruited to a North East medical manufacturer as part of the drive to reduce the region’s brain drain. Jenna Bell has been recruited as a Technical Support Co-ordinator for medical testing kit manufacturer ImmunoDiagnostic Systems (IDS).

Cels, the organisation driving the healthcare economy in North East England, helped Jenna to secure the position through its Healthcare Network.

Tony Wilks of IDS said: “Jenna is a very promising new recruit who has already displayed that she will be a valued member of IDS. With the help of the Cels Healthcare Network we received several high calibre CVs and were able to find a talented graduate, who is ideal for the position.”

According to regional development agency One NorthEast, North East England has the highest graduate retention rate outside London (46%), which is largely due to growing economies such as healthcare. In particular, Cels works with the region’s universities to help them market their graduates to this industry.

Lesley-Ann Gallagher, Sector Skills Manager, Cels Healthcare Network said: “Cels believes that finding skilled individuals and integrating them into local companies, as well as upskilling from within the existing workforce, will be one of the key factors in driving the growth of the North East’s healthcare economy.

“We accept that there is a skills gap at present but appointments such as Jenna’s show that the strong science and technology offering at the region’s Universities is producing the talent needed to meet the region’s high demand for science graduates, in spite of national challenges in education.”

For more about IDS, visit www.idsltd.com. For further information about Cels, go to www.celsatlife.com.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .