The skills academy is part of the 11-strong National Skills Academy network, formed by the Government in response to the skills shortages facing UK industry.  The Midlands is one of four key regions where the skills academy has established a presence on the ground, to work with employers and training providers to create a future-proof skills development framework.

The new board will spearhead efforts to identify employer skills needs and access industry-specific training from expert providers, create new programmes where they are needed, and seek out sources of funding.

The skills academy’s Midlands-based Regional Skills Manager, Neil Wilkinson, is calling for more employers to come forward and join the new board:  “The East Midlands Polymer Executive Forum is a strong network and has made some excellent progress on addressing the skills issues within the polymer industry. 

“We were looking to create a regional board with a similar remit and calibre, but which would also take in the pharmaceutical and chemical industries, so it seemed like the obvious choice to invite the Forum to effectively transform itself into our Regional Skills Board and thereby broaden its scope.  This move has been welcomed and we have already had enquiries from chemicals and pharmaceutical companies who want to get involved with what we are doing.

“We know that businesses find it difficult to source cost-effective, sector-specific training that suits their needs and is delivered in a way that fits in with their operating schedules.  This has seen them lose out on the workforce training that will keep their organisations competitive, and we aim to help them change that.

“Within our framework we also have an active group of HR directors and training managers - formerly the Cogent Sector Skills Council Employer Network - plus a virtual network so people can participate and keep up to date with initiatives and opportunities.

“We hope our new board will lead the way in developing a collaborative training and support framework that will benefit everyone in the industry, and we urge employers of all sizes to come forward and find out more about the benefits of getting involved.”    

Bill Erskine, Skills Director of the skills academy’s parent body, Cogent Sector Skills Council, said:  “As the sector skills council representing the process industries we are fully behind the creation of what will be a powerful force in driving forward the quality and extent of training throughout the region.

“We see this as a big opportunity for employers to join forces and access expert advice on the wide range of skills provision and funding on offer through initiatives such as Train to Gain.”