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TRAINING & SKILLS ATTRACTING TALENT IN DIFFICULT TIMES
Tim Doggett, CEO of the Chemical Business Association (CBA), considers the skills gap challenge and looks at how the chemical industry can ensure a sustainable and effective workforce
o function effectively, the chemical industry requires people with diverse skills and knowledge. It is increasingly recognised however, that a well-motivated workforce with a positive and ‘can do’ attitude is equally as important, and is arguably even more so. However, finding such talent can prove difficult in current times and is likely to become increasingly challenging.
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A large and complex supply chain, comprising of a wide range of skills, job functions and ancillary industries, is in place to facilitate, maintain and support the chemical industry. Central to this are its people, however, industries are struggling to recruit sufficient numbers of suitable and appropriately skilled staff, including the chemical supply chain, in roles such as HGV drivers where there is a chronic global shortage. While there is not an issue in the wider chemical supply chain at this time, three considerations must be made that are likely to adversely affect this in the future without immediate action: the imminent retirement of experienced employees; perceived skills shortages among the generation to replace retirees; and a general lack of awareness of the opportunities that exist, combined with a lack of motivation to join it due to negative perceptions and of what the chemical industry actually is. With this in mind, various initiatives aimed at challenging perceptions about the industry and promoting opportunities exist – not only to encourage younger generations to become interested, but also to attract talent and make the chemical industry and supply chain an
employer of choice – have been launched. One organisation leading the charge is the CBA with initiatives such as the CBA’s Future Council. Established in 2022, it comprises of young people with a diverse variety of skills and roles from member companies. In addition to promoting the chemical supply chain, encouraging future industry talent – and not just promoting STEM education, but the wide range of entry opportunities and levels – the Future Council’s objective is to help the Council members enhance their understanding of the chemical industry beyond their own jobs and enable them to contribute meaningfully to industry policies. Aimed at engaging with Millennials and Gen Zs, it showcases the diverse career opportunities within the sector, informing young people and educators about the contribution science and the chemical supply chain make to the wider economy. The CBA, alongside the Department for Transport, employers and other membership organisations, including the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) and Logistics UK, is an official partner of Generation Logistics, an industry-led campaign aimed at bringing industry together, shifting perceptions, and encouraging the next generation of opportunities in the logistics industry. To ensure the chemical industry attracts the diverse and inclusive talent pool required to maintain its position as a vital contributor to the UK economy, as well as being a critical part of our society, it must be showcased as a
desirable industry in which to build a career. As such, there is a clear need for the sector to act immediately, to attract future talent with the aim of providing the industry with a steady stream of skilled workers. However, recruitment is just one step in the process. Employee mentoring, training and development are other crucial elements to bridging the skills gap. People and skills development has been a key priority for companies across the chemical industry for many years and is becoming an increasing focus, either by enhancing or offering additional vocational training and skills programmes, or by supporting opportunities for continuous learning. This is evident from the CBA’s Supply Chain Trends Spring 2023 Survey. It revealed employment and training across the sector showed a sharp rise, with member companies indicating a positive investment in training – at the time of the survey, training levels were at +28%, with future training levels projected to reach +42%. The sector is also extremely serious about addressing diversity, equality and inclusion, with many businesses dedicated to ensuring policies, as well as legislation, are continuously reviewed. In addition, that training and development opportunities are of high quality, relevant and accessible, while best practices for creating more diverse, equitable, and inclusive environments are in place.
To support the wider industry, CBA also offers a comprehensive training programme across a range of regulatory and compliance matters, including COMAH, Spill Response, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH), and the Carriage of Dangerous Goods by Road (ADR), as well as Online Clinics and Best Practice Workshops on a wide variety of subjects.
With several CBA team members having been certified as being Carbon Literate, the Association also offers Carbon Literacy training to its members. The certified training, which provides help to make informed choices to reduce carbon impact, also enables and qualifies members to further roll out Carbon Literacy training to their organisations.
The chemical industry powers the modern world as we know it, with more than 97% of all manufactured products containing inputs from the chemicals industry. It is a vibrant, attractive and exciting place to build a career, and stakeholders should act decisively to attract, develop and retain the talent that industry will need going forward.
Chemical Business Association
www.chemical.org.uk/
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