Unite welcomes national skills academy for process
industries
Wednesday, 7th November 2007
Minister for Skills, David Lammy will today (Wednesday, 7th
November) announce that proposal to develop a unique National
Skills Academy for the Process Industries (chemicals,
pharmaceuticals and polymers) has won approval from the Department
for Innovation, Universities and Skills.
The Academy will be a wholly owned subsidiary of Cogent, the
Sector Skills Council for the chemicals, pharmaceuticals, nuclear,
oil and gas, petroleum and polymer industries. It follows the
successful announcement of a National Skills Academy (NSA) for
Nuclear, also led by Cogent.
The NSA Process Industries will develop a standards-based
approach to education, training and skills development of the
current workforce, across the industry. The new NSA will also
ensure the next generation of highly trained, highly motivated
employees who will be needed to sustain and grow these
strategically important industries.
David Lammy, Minister for Skills, said:
"I am delighted to officially announce the approval of
the National Skills Academy Process Industries. I congratulate the
Shadow Board of the NSA Process Industries, along with Cogent, the
Sector Skills Council concerned.
Unite Assistant General Secretary and Cogent Board member, Tony
Burke, said: "Unite welcomes the Government's approval for
a National Skills Academy for the Process Industries. These
important industries, which include chemicals, pharmaceuticals and
polymers, face both skills gaps and skills shortages. This clear
investment in the skills of the workforce is vital to the long term
success of the sector and for the workforce.
"We see this as a real opportunity to develop workforce
skills in this strategically important sector of the UK economy.
The National Skills Academy will create opportunities for employers
and employees to increase participation in the skills development
in their companies. If the sector is to compete and develop to meet
the challenges we all face, skills development must be at the top
of everyone's agenda."
Unite looks forward to playing a key role within the sector
skills academy.
Joanna Woolf, Cogent CEO, said: "We have long shared
employers’ determination to make the National Skills Academy
Process Industries a reality and we are delighted that we can now
move ahead supporting employers right across the sector to upskill
their employees so they perform their jobs to world-class
standards. This in turn will boost efficiency, productivity and
innovation."
-Ends-
For further information please contact Tony Burke on
07831 659939 or Ashraf Choudhury in the Unite press office on 020
7420 8914 or 07980 224761.
