DAWN OF A NEW ERA FOR PROCESS INDUSTRY

Jan 29 2008 by Sarah Judd, Evening Gazette

THE process sector is the jewel in the crown of British industry and represents 60% of Teesside’s economy.

Yet a looming skills shortage has, for the past few years, threatened this most valuable asset to our region.

Now, as a £10m National Skills Academy for the Process Industries, based at Teesside University, prepares to open on February 4, investment in the sector across the Tees Valley and wider North-east is set to soar.

Its arrival will elevate the area to the national and international stage as a centre for excellence, according to the North East Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC), which represents 200 companies in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, speciality petrochemical and commodity chemical industries, along with 150 companies in the supply chain.

So does the skills academy represent the dawn of a new era for economic growth on Teesside?

SARAH JUDD investigates why the future is looking bright for what is often perceived as a sunset industry.