Member Article

Process industries academy launched for NE

The government’s drive to upskill the UK workforce was given a North East boost last week with the launch of the National Skills Academy Process Industries. The fifth NSA in the country is to be based at Teesside University, with seven further spokes across the UK regions.

David Lammy MP, Minister for Skills was among the guests at the launch event in Westminster. He said: “When we are talking about the process industries we are talking about a fundamental sector in our economy. This sector does invest in skills training; it invested £800m in 2006, and we want to value that work and accredit it. We also need to tie into schools and promote the opportunities that exist in this sector, and increase the level of apprenticeships so more young people enter this industry in the next decade.”

Duncan Bannatyne, serial entrepreneur and judge on BBC’s Dragon’s Den, was also at the launch. He said: “The quality of the skills of our workforce goes to the heart of how competitive UK industry can be in tough markets.

“Across all areas of business and industry the value of skills is rising because employers understand, more than ever, the importance of investing in their workforce. Initiatives like this skills Academy should resonate with companies that expert and dedicated training resources are available to them.”

Each National Skills Academy puts employers at the heart of skills training for their sector; they influence the curriculum to meet employers’ needs; get involved in the skills Academy’s management; set standards and influence strategic direction.

The skills Academy is currently recruiting its regional managers to head up its spokes across the country, and will roll out a series of regional launch events to ensure the skills Academy message reaches the entire UK Process industries sector.

For further information go to www.process.nsacademy.co.uk.

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