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Skills Academy comes to the North East

A new skills academy which hope to address the region’s skills shortage was announced earlier this week.

The National Skills Academy for the Process Industries will be based in the North East of England, as announced by David Lammy, Minister for Skills. The National Skills Academy will operate out of a hub based in the North East but it will also have regional offices throughout the UK to ensure that specific training needs unique to each region are met.

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. “Teesside and Middlesbrough in particular should be proud to be a leading location for the nation’s process industry sector.”

North East companies have reportedly pledged more financial support to the Academy than companies from any other region of the UK. The Academy will work with employers to identify skills gaps, help companies up-skill their workforces, and develop a training infrastructure across the UK that better supports the sector’s needs.

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.”

The Skills Academy will be holding an official launch event in London early next year where its objectives will be announced. For further information on the National Skills Academy please visit www.nationalskillsacademy.gov.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .