Your contact in the region
Gordon Jackson
Call 0191 5271718 or 07825 229589 for advice
Email: gordon.jackson@cogent-ssc.com

Profile
The region is dominated by and oil and gas industry support activities in the east around Newcastle. The chemical industry is also strong around Tees Valley. There are a number of significant nuclear sites in the region such as Hartlepool in Cleveland) as well as large petroleum industry refineries in Humberside. The polymer sector is represented across the region.

See also: LMI

Skills Trends
There are many underlying issues which are common to the industries within the region. These include:
• A need for highly skilled managers, researchers, engineers and technicians as well as process operators, drivers and retail staff.
• Ageing workforces.
• Recruitment difficulties, especially of skilled and experienced personnel.
• Poor industry image and profile.
• Increasing impact of legislation.
• Focus on environmental impact of the industries.
• The pace of technological change.
• Competitiveness, particularly against overseas companies.
• Potential to grow global markets for end products.
• Competence Assurance requirements

Cogent Activities
Cogent works with local employers and a range of other key stakeholders such as Regional Development Agencies, Local Learning and Skills Councils and the DTI to identify and address workforce development requirements in the region. Cogent also provides leadership and support to add value by, for example, developing or delivering appropriate learning frameworks or qualifications. Cogent is very active within a number of industry forums including the North East Energy and the Pharmaceutical & Specialities Clusters, and NEPIC, the North East Process Industry Cluster. Additionally, Cogent has developed strong relationships with the Chemical Industry Training Organisations (CITO) network and other chemical industry organisations such as the Centre for Process Industries (CPI).

The team is also working with individual employers in the region to implement skills development solutions to specific issues affecting them and help in accessing funding for such initiatives.