Skills Academy to be based in North East

Wednesday, 7th November 2007

Categories: General News, What's New, Training & Skills

Skills Academy to be based in North East

The National Skills Academy for the Process Industries will be based in the North East of England, following an announcement today from David Lammy, Minister for Skills.
Dr. Stan Higgins, CEO of the North East Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC), said: "This is fantastic news for our region and further reiterates the importance of this vibrant and growing sector.

"Securing the National Skills Academy hub in North East England is further proof that we mean business in this region and that we fully intend to build on our strength and secure more investment going forward.

"Teesside and Middlesbrough in particular should be proud to be a leading location for the nation's process industry sector. I would like to thank One NorthEast in particular for backing our efforts to win this academy for our region and our partnering chemical initiatives in other regions and Cogent for their work in focusing all our efforts in the shared goal of creating a national academy."

Ian Williams, One NorthEast Director of Business and Industry, said: "The process industries sector is hugely significant to the on-going success of the North East economy.

"One NorthEast is delighted to be able to support its further development by investing £1.35m into the new National Skills Academy which will help put in place the skilled workers of tomorrow to ensure this sector's future prosperity."

NEPIC and its member companies have been working together to tackle the major skills and recruitment issues facing this industry. George Ritchie, SVP SembCorp Utilities and Chair NEPIC Skills & Education Engagement, said: "This is great news and a major step forward for the sector. It gives us the opportunity, particularly in skills development, to tackle meaningfully the identified shortages and upskilling of current employees.

"We need this to ensure that the process industry continues to grow and prosper and to be seen as an attractive workplace offering great career opportunities."
North East companies have pledged more financial support to the Academy than companies from any other region of the UK. The Academy will work directly with employers to identify skills gaps, help company's up-skills their workforce and develop a training infrastructure across the UK that better supports the sectors needs.

Enterprising companies such as SembCorp Utilities UK, Invista Performance Technologies, Johnson Matthey, Innospec Speciality Chemicals, Banner Chemicals Ltd to name but a few, have built the foundations for the academy and it is important that the whole industry grasps this opportunity and that even more employers come on board.
Today will see in excess of 150 top industrialists and educationalist join forces at the Annual NEPIC Skills & Education Event at the Stadium of Light to discuss the industries needs. This important event will cover the attraction of young people and adults to gain the skills required to work in this leading edge and technology driven sector. Today's news will obviously be celebrated at the event.

Dr Higgins added: "Employees in this sector add 46% more value to the economy than the average working person in the UK and our sector is simply the jewel in the crown of British industry.

"With investment projects totalling £7.2bn being undertaken in the North East by the companies in our sector, this will boost our contribution to the regional economy to in excess of £15bn by 2015. We will need to recruit up to 16,000 new employees to achieve our ambitions, therefore the establishment of the National Skills Academy in our sector with its hub in the North East couldn't arrive at a better time."

Bob Coxon, Chairman of NEPIC, added: "I am delighted that NEPIC and the North East will play a lead role in the new National Skills Academy.

"It vividly demonstrates that the process industry is thriving and looking to the future. The Academy will concentrate all our efforts at national and regional level and will aim to set a high standard of performance and attainment by the people of our industry. NEPIC is thriving too and this announcement is yet another great milestone in its own fast development."

Louise Martell
Marketing & PR Officer
North East Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC) Ltd
Wilton Centre, Room H224
Wilton, Redcar
TS10 4RF
+44 (0)1642 442564 (Direct Dial)
+44 (0)1642 442560 (Switchboard)

louise.martell@nepic.co.uk
www.nepic.co.uk

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