Mapping national approaches to challenges of employment and skills in the European chemical sector 1 st Workshop - Brussels, April 2012 Jenny Clucas Strategy Director, Chemicals and Petrochemicals Cogent

UK Skills Bodies: UK Government 24 Commissioners 21 Sector Skills Councils National Skills Academies Skills Funding Agency

Sector Skills Councils - Funding Sector Skills Councils government funding has changed! – via contestable funding (until 31/3/12 was via grant income) Other income comes from: – Employers – Project UK and EU – Awarding bodies UKCES expenditure for 2012/13 is ~ £84M Skills Funding Agency funding - £4 billion per year

Cogent Sector Skills Council The SSC for the Science-based industries for the Science-based Cogent Industries: Chemicals Petroleum Pharmaceuticals Life Sciences Industrial Biotechnology Polymers Nuclear Cogent Role Providing the Employer Voice on Skills Developing fit-for-purpose qualifications and standards Producing sector labour market intelligence Attracting new talent to the sector By working with Employers and understanding their skill needs

Cogent SSC Ltd - Structure Cogent SSC Cogent Board of Directors (Employer led) NSA Process Industries NSA Nuclear Technical Apprenticeship Service Cogent Advisory Councils x7 Employers and stakeholders

Cogent and the Skills Academies

Key UK Science Industry Challenges Poor Industry Image Too few Technicians Need to improve Competence and Risk compliance Inflexible approach to qualifications & training No portable training records esp. for Contractor workforce

What do we do? Cogent National Occupational Standards Apprenticeship Frameworks Training Standards Gold Standards LMI Qualifications e.g. vocational, foundation degrees, HNDs Skills Strategy Career Pathways

Current ‘hot’ projects: Expanding Gold Standard Framework (e.g. IB, Formulation, Management) Process Safety Training Standards Competence Assurance Mechanisms to work with SMEs Higher Level Apprenticeships UK Strategy for Life Sciences Skills Nuclear build workforce planning 2012 Annual Skills Survey Scottish Water Treatment quals Life Sciences NOS

Thank You & Questions