PTL has committed itself to working on behalf of the Polymer industry to create a National Skills Academy for the sector. The new National Skills Academies are part of a Department for Education and Skills (DfES) drive to improve the delivery of vocational education and engage employers more actively in the delivery of that education.

‘We are delighted that the government has chosen to focus on the manner in which skills are delivered and, as the primary delivery network for the UK polymer industry, PTL and its partners will play a central role’ said Raymond Clarke, Chief Executive of PTL. ‘The polymer industry is no longer large enough to warrant a National Skills Academy in its own right, and we will be talking to other industries to explore collaborative approaches.’ The initial focus is likely to involve exploring the potential for working with the Chemicals Industry.

The National Skills Academy initiative is designed to strengthen the employer led focus in respect of the supply of training, and will require a mixture of public and industry funding to support the initiative. The intention is that employers will have both influence on educational strategy through the Sector Skills Council, and supply side activities through the National Skills Academy.

‘Our work over the next twelve months will be to develop partnership and funding models that will position the polymer sector in such a way that it gains maximum benefit from this initiative. Clearly, the types of products and services provided by any National Skills Academy should be informed by industry priorities and needs and we look forward to working with Cogent, and perhaps other industry bodies in defining the approach that is to be taken.’

For further information, or to discuss how to become involved in the initiative, please contact Raymond Clarke at PTL 01952 587020.