 Emerging technologies such as industrial biotechnology, composites and plastics electronics are technical innovations in which the UK is well placed to become a world leader.
- Composite materials have applications in satellite construction, wind turbines, aircraft and automotive construction and civil engineering projects.
- Industrial Biotechnology has applications in bio fuels production, oils from algae, detergent enzymes and organic effluent treatment.
- Plastic electronics brings flexibility and energy efficiency and weight savings to existing electronics products and has potential applications in lighting and information displays.
All of these developing areas will test the existing skills of the chemicals and polymers workforce and throw up new challenges for employers, academia and training providers to co-ordinate the supply of new innovative and highly skilled people into industry and to upskill existing employees.
To provide the best possible support to employers, Cogent and the National Skills Academy Process Industries have been given the green light to an extension of the Academy’s remit to create two new skills hubs for Biotechnology and Composites.
The Government’s Skills for Growth strategy announced back in October 2009 invited bids for new National Skills Academies. The extension bid to include composites and biotechnology by Cogent Sector Skills Council (SSC) and the National Skills Academy Process Industries is the first of its kind, and provides a platform to support the skills needed to help these UK industries become world leaders.
The extension is an evolution of the Academy’s current role and fits perfectly within their current remit. It is also a strategically important platform for the development of emerging technologies in the chemical, polymer and pharmaceutical manufacturing sectors.
|
