Skills chief issues rallying call
1 Aug 2008
Employers should get fully involved in driving change from the inside, or face being left behind, according to Phil Jones, CEO of the National Skills Academy Process Industries.
The academy has a remit to tackle skills gaps in the UK chemicals, pharmaceuticals and polymer manufacturing industries, which employ over 420,000 people. It aims to train at least 16,000 people over the next five years.
According to Jones, the academy, which had its official launch in January, is currently introducing four regional centres, each to be run by its own industry-led board. The network, he said, will deliver a range of initiatives, including establishing a training and development Gold Standard, a central employee skills registry, expert skills assessments, accreditation of prior learning, bursaries and a good practice guide.
By 2015, the aim is to have created 170 accredited training centres across the three sub-sectors, added Jones. "We have some bold aims, but by working side by side with employers - who in effect will drive the Skills Academy's direction - we are helping them create their own future."
The academy has so far engaged with employers - mainly large companies - representing 17% of the total employees in the sector, but wants SMEs to get more involved. "Although take-up has varied according to regional industry profiles, the level of interest we have received from around the country shows that businesses are starting to realise they must take urgent action on skills challenges," added Jones.
The academy has a remit to tackle skills gaps in the UK chemicals, pharmaceuticals and polymer manufacturing industries, which employ over 420,000 people. It aims to train at least 16,000 people over the next five years.
According to Jones, the academy, which had its official launch in January, is currently introducing four regional centres, each to be run by its own industry-led board. The network, he said, will deliver a range of initiatives, including establishing a training and development Gold Standard, a central employee skills registry, expert skills assessments, accreditation of prior learning, bursaries and a good practice guide.
By 2015, the aim is to have created 170 accredited training centres across the three sub-sectors, added Jones. "We have some bold aims, but by working side by side with employers - who in effect will drive the Skills Academy's direction - we are helping them create their own future."
The academy has so far engaged with employers - mainly large companies - representing 17% of the total employees in the sector, but wants SMEs to get more involved. "Although take-up has varied according to regional industry profiles, the level of interest we have received from around the country shows that businesses are starting to realise they must take urgent action on skills challenges," added Jones.
