Cambridge Science Park, established in 1970 and home to 170 companies and more than 7,000 workers, has submitted a masterplan for planning consent. The park claims this plan could triple its annual economic contribution from £1bn to over £3bn.
Many individuals working at the park, such as Kath Austin, director of business development at the Science Discovery Centre, and manufacturing technician Karen Merry, are non-scientists. However, some companies reportedly struggle to recruit for these roles, with a research assistant at Cambridge University's Bennett School of Public Policy, Burcu Sevde Selvi, stating that these opportunities are not visible enough.
Keith Purdie, senior director of development and operations at Cambridge Science Park, said the park is developing a strategy to ensure awareness of career opportunities. Initiatives include teaming up with Cambridge Regional College to offer SEND students time at the park as part of their employability programme.