BPF Press Release: More than half of board members started as an apprentice

The BPF’s Education & Skills Committee has issued its Skills & Education Report 2016 which highlights the skills and training needs within the Plastics Industry. The report itself is the product of an industry-wide skills survey conducted during 2015 and early 2016 by the Committee.

The aim of the data collected from the survey was to help the BPF to better understand the skills gap and to ensure we have a sound grasp of future training requirements; this in turn will allow us to engage with key stakeholders to help shape the skills landscape for the Plastics Industry.

Some key findings within the report included the fact that over 53.6% of companies who participated had at least one board member who had undertaken an apprenticeship. Further to this, the report found that;

• Skills training seen as most important for apprenticeship levels 3, 4 & 5
• 78% of Respondents recognised a gap between current training offered and what employers want
• Skills & Qualifications to validate skills are seen as some of the most important requirements of training
• 83% respondents saw short courses as a valuable means of narrowing the skills gap
• Half of respondents want 'Hands on staff who are operational'
• Issues attracting skilled staff include salary, lack of advanced courses available and awareness of the industry
• 84% respondents understood what is involved in taking on apprentices
• 'Clear Guidance on what training courses are available' was seen as the best help among respondents in deciding what they need for training.

The Report can be downloaded by clicking here

For further information on the Education & Skills Committee, contact Matt Davies at [email protected] or on +44(0) 207 457 5048.

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Notes for editors:

The 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.