Cogent and BPF join forces on skills

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Wednesday, 18, Jul 2007 12:00

Cogent SSC the national skills council for the polymers industry and the British Plastics Federation (BPF) have formally joined each other’s organisation as members to forge a collaborative approach to boosting workforce skills in the polymer industry.

Peter Davis Director General of the BPF 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.”

About Cogent

Cogent is the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for the chemicals and pharmaceuticals, nuclear, oil and gas, petroleum and polymer industries. It is one of 25 SSCs which, together with the Sector Skills Development Agency (SSDA), form the Skills for Business Network (SfBN). Cogent has finalised its Sector Skills Agreement (SSA) following 18 months of research and consultation with employers across its footprint. This agreement represents a long-term relationship between employers and stakeholders to deliver relevant skills, training and development to employers in the Cogent industries. The resulting action plan is based on the assessment of current and future skills needs, as well as current training and education provision. Five key programmes for the sector, which cut across industry boundaries, have now been drawn up and endorsed by key stakeholders.

About the BPF

British Plastics Federation (BPF) is the UK trade association for the plastics industry - representing the whole supply chain including polymer producers, distributors, additives suppliers, machinery manufacturers, processors and recyclers. BPF Membership encompasses over 400 companies, 600 sites and approximately 75% of the UK Plastics industry turnover

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