NSAPI project director Craig Crowther said: “The increased competition in all sectors from overseas producers has been a key driver for the creation of the Academy.

“Through NSAPI we aim to work with employers to develop a sound training infrastructure and strong relations with training and educational bodies to create the globally competitive workforce the UK wants and needs.”

The NSAPI team will work with Process Industry employers and Cogent SSC with support from the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) to create a 'Gold Standard' for the industry to use as a benchmark when measuring the progression of employees skills development within the Process Industries.  With its main base situated in North East England, NSAPI will work on a national basis to help companies 'upskill' their current employees by working towards the Industry 'Gold Standard'.  The main objective of the standard is to raise employer and employee aspirations to increase the accreditation of skills within the current workforce as well as integrating the skills development process for the Industries.

Craig continued: “Though the hub is based in the North-East, NSAPI will have regional spokes covering the rest of the UK.  The hub will provide national co-ordination and the regional offshoots are designed to meet the differing requirements of each part of the country. We are delighted with the regional spread of employer involvement, with companies getting involved from all parts of the UK.

“This is great news as, to make the Academy a success, we need commitment from as many employers as possible.  We already have a wealth of companies on board but there is still scope for others to stake their claim in what is the biggest development yet within the Process Industries' skills arena.”

Employers getting behind the Academy include SembCorp Utilities UK, Invista Performance Technologies, Johnson Matthey, Innospec Specialty Chemicals, Banner Chemicals Ltd, Solutia UK Limited and Black Cat Fireworks Ltd.

The Academy Shadow Board has representatives from multinationals including BASF PLC, SABIC UK Petrochemicals, Degussa, LINPAC Plastics Limited, INEOS Olefins and GSK and SMEs Reaxa, Contract Chemicals and Linecross Limited spearheading the development of the Academy.

Chris Horton of LINPAC Plastics Limited and Chair of the NSAPI Board said: “It is great to see companies of all sizes getting behind NSAPI from global multinationals to very small businesses. We are all keen to progress our industry, which is currently held back by a lack of suitably qualified employees.”

The Process Industries provide employment for close to 600,000 people throughout the UK, contributing £22 billion to the national economy. They form an essential component of the manufacturing supply chain and are at the forefront of technological innovation.

Including the key areas of chemicals, pharmaceutical manufacture, and polymer processing, the Process Industries help supply vital products such as medication and the construction materials for energy efficient living.

Craig added: “The problem is that the Process Industries are struggling to find staff with specialist skills that are sector-specific. NSAPI is setting itself the challenge of tackling this situation head on.

“We are looking forward to working with employers, employees and providers to help businesses and their workforce achieve the globally competitive sector-focused skills we need to succeed.”

A ministerial announcement regarding the approval of the Academy's business plan is anticipated during September 2007.