National Skills Academy has expanded its network with the launch of the National Skills Academy for the process industries. 

Hubs of training excellence for the chemicals, pharmaceuticals and polymer industries will form part of the National Skills Academy for the process industries.

It is the fifth National Skills Academy to be launched and joins construction, manufacturing, food and drink manufacturing, and financial services.

Chris Horton, director of Linpac and chair of the National Skills Academy for Process Industries Board, says: "I am delighted with the launch of the National Skills Academy which will allow the process industry to address the skills shortfall in areas of their business. It will mean that organisations will be able to identify the gaps and benchmark themselves against 'The Gold Standard' to determine where they should be. Support will then be available to these businesses to help close this skills gap."

Employers supporting the National Skills Academy for process industries include BASF, SembCorp Utilities UK, Invista Performance Technologies, Johnson Matthey, Innospec Specialty Chemicals, Banner Chemicals, Solutia UK and LINPAC Group.

A sixth National Skills Academy for the nuclear industry will be launched shortly.