Hub will match skills to industry

Sep 24 2007 The Journal

THE National Skills Academy Process Industries has now received £1m in support from more than 40 businesses eager to develop better training infrastructure in the UK. The Skills Academy is an employer-led centre of excellence launched in response to the skills shortage in the sector.

It has been confirmed the hub will be based in the North-East, but the exact location will not be announced until the Academy reaches the end of its business planning stage this month.

Academy project director Craig Crowther said: “Though the hub is based in the North-East, the Skills Academy will have regional spokes covering the rest of the UK. The hub will provide national co-ordination and the regional offshoots are designed to meet the differing requirements of each part of the country.

“We are delighted with the regional spread of employer involvement, with companies getting involved from all parts of the UK.

“This is great news, as to make the academy a success we need commitment from as many employers as possible.

“We already have a wealth of companies on board, but there is still scope for others to stake their claim in what is the biggest development yet within the process industries’ skills arena.”

Employers getting behind the academy include SembCorp Utilities UK, Invista Performance Technologies, Johnson Matthey, Innospec Specialty Chemicals, Banner Chemicals, Solutia UK and Black Cat Fireworks.

The process industries provide employment for almost 600,000 people in the UK, contributing £22bn to the economy. They form an essential component of the manufacturing supply chain and are at the forefront of technological innovation.

Including chemicals, pharmaceutical manufacture and polymer processing, the process industries supply vital products such as medication and the construction materials for energy-efficient living.

Mr Crowther said: “The problem is that the process industries are struggling to find staff with specialist skills that are sector-specific. The Academy is setting itself the challenge of tackling this situation head on. We are looking forward to working with employers, employees and providers to help businesses and their workforce achieve the globally competitive sector-focused skills we need to succeed.”