‘Young people need to know about opportunities available’

Mar 25 2008 by Evening Gazette

THE process sector is a major employer in the Tees Valley and is of tremendous importance to the region’s economy, providing high quality employment and opportunities for young people.

The UK process industry is at the forefront of technological innovation, producing hundreds of essential materials including biofuels, plastics, rubber, pharmaceuticals and chemical additives. Growth in these industries, however, could be constrained by a lack of suitably qualified employees; consequently there is a need for increased employer commitment to training for young people and adults in the sector.

It is predicted that there will be significant growth in the industry over the next few years, so it is crucial that young people and adults are aware of the opportunities that are available and that employers are aware of the support available through funding and guidance.

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) North East is working with employment bodies such as the Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB), the North East Process Industries Cluster (NEPIC), Cogent and SEMTA, the sector skills councils for the process industry, and with training providers to ensure that the skills needs of the engineering and process industries are met now and in the future.

Chris Roberts, regional director, LSC North East, said: “We are committed to raising skill levels in the region for the benefit of individuals, employers and the economy. There is currently a shortage of qualified people entering the process and construction sectors and we have been working for some time with its partners to try and reverse this situation.

“One of the keys to improving skills is to encourage more young people into these sectors and link students with employers. Along with the Tees Valley Engineering Partnership and NEPIC, we have been promoting the sectors in schools, though educational projects, to encourage young people to think about careers in engineering and the process industry in a bid to overcome prejudices and preconceptions.

“We are also working with engineering providers to increase the number of apprenticeships in these sectors and through the Train to Gain service, we are up-skilling the existing workforce to ensure that the skills demands of the future are met.”

Work is also underway to explore ways of getting long term unemployed people back into work in the sector.

It is envisaged that the new National Skills Academy for the Process Industry, which has its national base in the Tees Valley, will inform and drive the demand for skills and workforce development in this sector and have a major impact on the industry.