Working Towards RSci for managers

two colleagues having a meeting over a laptop

If you are managing or supporting someone who is on the Working Towards RSci programme, there are a few things you may find useful to know.

What is ‘Working Towards RSci’?

Working Towards Registered Scientist (RSci) is an employability programme that students can sign up for, setting them on the path to becoming a full Registered Scientist.

They are provided with a handbook and additional guidance that helps them apply their workplace experience to the standards and competences expected of a professional scientist.

It is a status in its own right that students and graduates can include on their CV and use in job applications.

What do we mean by ‘standards and competence’?

The Science Council sets the standards for professional scientists, through professional registration. There are 5 areas covered by these standards:

  1. Knowledge and Understanding
  2. Personal Responsibility
  3. Interpersonal Skills
  4. Professional Practice
  5. Professionalism

Each standard has up to four specific areas of competence, demonstrated by evidence of how this competence has been applied in a professional setting.

For example:

“Identify, review and select scientific techniques, procedures and methods to undertake tasks” (Professional Practice; D1)

Anyone signed up for the ‘Working Towards RSci’ programme is expected to be gaining experiences that would eventually lead to their being competent at the level of a Registered Scientist.

For this reason, only students that are on or have done a placement year are eligible to sign up for the programme, since a degree course on its own does not provide professional experience.

There is more guidance available that explains how you can support a student or graduate who is on the programme to prepare for the application to full registered status.