Most goods used by people
in their homes, at work and in their everyday activities are products
derived from the chemical, nuclear, oil and gas, petroleum and polymer
industries.
These industries
combine to enable the production not only of fuel for cars and heating
for homes, but also of bitumen, plastics, paints and inks, rubber,
synthetic fibres for clothing, pharmaceuticals and the energy necessary
for the whole country to function.
Nearly half a million people in the UK work in the industries
represented by Cogent, from the operator on an oil platform in the
North Sea to the shop assistant at the local petrol station, from the
control room operator of a nuclear plant to the analyst in a chemicals
processing laboratory. The combined industries are of huge economic and strategic importance to the UK, contributing £46.69bn to its Gross Added Value.
However, they face significant changes in the demands placed on their
workforce from global competition, increasing public expectations for
cleaner and safer products, new technology, workforce demographics and
sustainable development requirements.
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