The four Centres of Vocational Excellence (CoVEs) across the UK, approved by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) in the nuclear, chemical, and polymer industries (Gen11 Engineering and Technical Training Limited, The TTE Technical Training Group, TTE Training Limited and PTL) have welcomed the appointment of Craig Crowther as Project Director for the National Skills Academy (NSA) for the Process Industries (formerly PINSA).  Craig, who has been seconded from The TTE Technical Training Group, has been appointed to lead the development of the business plan on which the LSC will base its approval. ‘

The appointment of Craig is significant’ said Raymond Clarke, Chief Executive of PTL.  ‘The success of the National Skills Academy for the process sector will be dependant upon the support of the four employer-led CoVEs operating within its footprint.  Each of the CoVEs already have an excellent reputation within their respective industrial sectors, are led by employer boards and are collectively responsible for some 2/3rds of publicly funded technical training nationally within the footprint of the NSA.  As a consequence, Craig’s in depth understanding of the CoVE network will be invaluable to the process’. 

‘As key stakeholders in the potential NSA, we look forward to playing an active role in the development of the NSA business plan and strategy, working with Craig and his team in the development of a sustainable, viable and deliverable business plan.  In particular, we will seek to ensure that governance arrangements balance the needs of all stakeholders by integrating the vital contributions of employers and providers to create an effective academy’. In a related development, the four CoVEs have already formed a consortium to bid for funding from the LSC and Europe, co-operate on the development of innovative apprenticeships programmes and to consider synergies and opportunities for closer involvement on business and product development activities.  ‘Our intention is to build a very strong foundation for vocational learning across the wider sector, whilst retaining the distinct and separate focus of each of the four CoVEs.  We believe that this will be of great assistance in the future development of the NSA, and will also provide a significant platform for future delivery of sector specific training, whatever the outcome of the forthcoming bid for the NSA for the Process sector National Skills Academy’.