Unite welcomes Proskills successful
bid to establish a National Skills Academy
Thursday, 5th July 2007
Unite, the UK’s largest trade union, has
welcomed the Government announcement that Proskills has succeeded
in its application to establish a National Skills Academy for the
process and manufacturing sector.
The establishment of the academy has also been
welcomed by the sectors represented by Proskills (printing,
extractives, glass, building products and coatings) as they
recognise the potential opportunities this will create for
them.
Bernie Rutter of Unite the Union, who is a
trade union board member of Proskills, said:
“Unite fully supported the
successful Skills Academy bid. The Skills Academy will create
opportunities for employers and employees to increase participation
in the skills development in their company. If our sector is to
compete and develop to meet the challenges we all face, skills
development must be at the top of everyone's
agenda.
“This is an opportunity for
companies to not only upskill their workforce but also to start to
plan ahead and attract young people to join these industries
through the Skills Academy.”
He also said the union welcomed the decision
of the Packaging Industry to look at a revamping of training
strategies in the industry which may lead to the industry joining
Proskills, and the news that the papermaking industry is also
considering joining. “Proskills is a ‘natural home’ for
packaging and papermaking as we already have a big print sector
covered in Proskills,” he added.
-ENDS-
For more info call Bernie Rutter on
07973 630962 or Ashraf Choudhury in the Unite Press Office on 020
7420 8914 or 07980 224761.
Notes to editors
1. Proskills is
one of a network of 25 employer-led Sector Skills Councils (SSCs)
tasked by the governments of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern
Ireland with ensuring employers have people with the right skills
to boost productivity and competitiveness.
2. Proskills is
the SSC for the Process and Manufacturing sector, a major part of
the UK economy, including the Printing, Coatings, Extractives,
Glass, Building Products sectors. Visit
www.proskills.co.uk
