Cels, the organisation driving the healthcare economy in North East England, has helped secure a valuable technical appointment for medical testing kit manufacturer ImmunoDiagnostic Systems (IDS), through its Healthcare Network.

Jenna Bell, a Newcastle University graduate, has been recruited as a Technical Support Co-ordinator, bearing testament to Cels’ remit of driving the growth of the healthcare sector in North East England and keeping talented science graduates in the region.

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.

Jenna Bell joins IDS having completed her BSc Hons Medical Microbiology and Immunology degree.

Tony Wilks of IDS commented: “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.”

Lesley-Ann Gallagher, Sector Skills Manager, Cels Healthcare Network commented:

“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.

“The science curriculum has been open to criticism , and 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.   

One of the ways in which Cels Healthcare Network helps its members to improve business performance is through skills development and training, aiming to create more  jobs for graduates like Jenna.”

Cels is a primary driver of the Healthcare pillar of One NorthEast’s Strategy for Success Programme created to exploit the region’s research and technology base which will generate innovation, competitiveness and long-term economic growth.

Cels Healthcare Network is sponsored by One NorthEast and part funded by the European Regional Development Fund