Peter Davis Director General of the BPF and and Joanna Woolf Cogent’s CEO today signed an agreement at a high profile employer skills conference taking place at the National Science Centre in York.

Joanna Woolf said: “We are delighted to be joining forces with the UK’s leading trade body for the polymers industry. This partnership will support our work in closing skills gaps, reducing skills shortages and boosting careers in this vital sector of UK industry.

“The relationship will give Cogent invaluable access to BPF’s authoritative insights and research into the industry’s priorities, strengths and challenges as well as a powerful conduit to plastics employers in a myriad of polymer sub-sectors from bottle blowing and composites through to packaging and windows.”

Peter Davis said: “This union is good news for the plastics industry since the BPF and Cogent will work together to address the skills issues and needs in our industry.

“Young people can have an excellent career in the plastics industry from shop floor roles to management positions. It is vital our innovative industry trains its staff to realise their potential and also attracts the best young talent.”

The relationship will also demonstrate to Government and skills stakeholders that Cogent sees a collaborative approach with trade bodies as being central to putting skills at the very top of the agenda at workplaces all over the country.

Joanna Woolf added: “The BPF will have input into our strategy and planning and ensure that our skills programmes and qualifications meet polymer industry needs.”