Education and Training for the Polymer Sector in Scotland

At its meeting on 13 September, the Scottish Polymer Employer Network addressed the topic of education and training for the polymer sector in Scotland. The meeting, held at East Kilbride Group Training Association (EKGTA), arose from the increasing difficulty in finding programmes for polymer specific education and training for Scottish companies. Various options to redress the situation were discussed.

Presentations

The evening opened with a tour of the recently refurbished premises at EKGTA, including the machine shop, electrical workshop, IT suite, classrooms and recreational areas. Brian Boyle (Customer Liaison and Quality Assurance Manager at EKGTA) outlined the history of EKGTA and its role in delivering vocational training in engineering, health & safety, management/supervisory and IT.

Working with over 100 employers across Scotland and beyond, EKGTA currently has 430 apprentices in training programmes. Brian then went on to compare the general engineering Modern Apprenticeship (MA) framework with the polymer MA framework. Apart from some specialist SVQ units, the significant difference is that the current polymer MA framework specifies a minimum of a Higher National Certificate (HNC) as the academic element whereas the engineering MA requires only a National Certificate. At present no College in Scotland can deliver the academic underpinning for the polymer SVQ elements.

John Holton, Strategy Director for Cogent SSC, explained the role of Sector Skills Councils, which are acting as the voice of employers in skills development, producing National Occupational Standards, monitoring qualifications and providing labour market intelligence. Cogent activities are centred on qualifications and assessment, promoting careers in the sector and encouraging employers to develop more apprentices.

Charlie Geddes (SPRA) summarised a report, prepared by SPRA for Cogent, on the provision of formal polymer specific education and training in the UK. The provision report covers all levels from post school to postgraduate and covers short courses and online learning. At postgraduate level the provision is healthy, with 11 universities offering a range of polymer related courses, but the situation is less satisfactory at degree and sub-degree level (HNC, NC) with only 3 institutions involved. At SVQ level there are a number of colleges and independent providers. There is a wide spectrum of short courses (1-5 days) available from universities, colleges and independent providers but mainly for injection moulding. Other processes are less well served. Only one university provides programmes based largely on distance learning but there are a number of online packages available from USA. In summary there has been considerable erosion in opportunities for polymer specific learning over the last 40 years and particularly in the last 10 years.

Colin Hindle (Edinburgh Napier University) noted that, with the FE provision non-existent in Scotland, school leavers have the option of progressing to full professional qualifications on Degree and Masters programmes at Edinburgh Napier University, with end qualifications available at intermediate steps. For those in employment there is a part-time route available. Numbers on this programme have been low, particularly for Scottish students. Industry can help the situation by making more use of the part-time route, offering placements for undergraduates, considering graduate apprenticeships and improving the image of careers in the polymer sector.
Employers might also consider the Foundation Degree in Polymer Technology recently introduced at London Metropolitan University as cost effective method of instilling an understanding of polymeric materials and processes to back up the vocational competences in SVQs and perhaps lead on to higher qualifications.

Andy Barnard, Managing Director of Solutions 4 Polymers Ltd, an independent specialist training provider for the polymer industry, specialising in key processing skills, is already active in companies in Scotland and has access to run courses using the injection moulding machines at the Hamilton Campus of the University of West Scotland. All programmes are delivered by staff with industrial experience, at centres or in-company, and are customised to suit company needs and flexible to accommodate shift working etc.

Open Discussion

Several companies present expressed a need for specialist polymer education and training, including underpinning knowledge of polymeric materials and associated processes to back up the engineering programmes they use for operators, apprentices and technicians. One company with a specialised process has no interest in injection moulding programmes but is looking to satisfy its need for underpinning polymer knowledge through the Foundation Degree at London Metropolitan University, which operates flexible learning. It was accepted that the highly effective sub degree programmes from 10-30 years ago were unlikely to be revived and companies are looking for other solutions for acquiring specific polymer knowledge. The meeting explored several possibilities, using short courses or modules from Edinburgh Napier University (ENU), London Metropolitan University and Solutions 4 Polymers, delivered at EKGTA, ENU, the University of the West of Scotland or in companies.

Report by Charlie Geddes, SPRA Hon Secretary, September 2011