Cogent SSC National Composite Technologies

Cogent Sector Skills Council

which has taken over the important role formerly provided by the Polymer National Training Organisation & British Polymer Training Association, has the responsibility to assist companies operating within the sector to improve productivity and competitiveness through Workforce Development Initiatives. More about these initiatives are outlined in other sections of their website.

Dark Matter Composites Ltd

With over 10 years experience in composites, Dark Matter Composite's Managing Director Rodney Hansen BEng Msc is one of the UK’s leading advisors on advanced composites; including material and application research, production engineering and management, teaching, training & assessment.

Composites Training Consortium

Chris Little has been involved with industry for the last 11 years and recognises the industry's need for a standard and qualification specific to the industry. To this end he has become involved with the National Composites Network’s Education and Skills Working Group, a member of the Materials Knowledge Transfer Network Education and Skills Working Group, consultant to the sector Skills Council for Composites (COGENT), and is a director on the Composites Processors Association Board.

Isle of Wight College

The college has been providing educational and vocational training to the composite industry for many years and is guided in its provision by the islands Composite Employer Network (CEN). The college supported by numerous partners to include Cogent, has most recently been active in developing:-

A new marine composites facility at the College, to meet industry needs.

Joint marketing initiatives for the sector & delivered road shows in schools to raise interest & awareness.

A Centre of Vocational Excellence for the Marine Industries

Launched a range of vocational training initiatives for companies on the island Southampton Maritime Technology Centre

The Maritime Technology Centre which has been providing a range of training and education services to the composite industry for many years, now houses the Marine Regional Resource Centre (RRC) The centre, is a collaborative pooling of expertise and training resources that has been established in order to work in close conjunction with and to address the needs of SME’s within the marine sector across the Southeast region. RRC partners will provide access to equipment resources, technical expertise, training and market intelligence as an added value and incentive for employers who utilise the facilities of the RRC.

Yeovil College

The College has recently been equipped with new training facilities for the composites sector and in particular the Aerospace sector. With close ties to Airbus Industries, the team at Yeovil will be adding considerable technical knowledge to the project.

SEEDA

The South East England Development Agency is financially supporting the project through its “Training Pools” initiative. The Composite Sector has been identified of having a need to urgently address the skills shortages at level 3 and above, given that such shortages are inhibiting the development of companies in the South East region. There is an imperative to address this issue if the SE region is to achieve its aim of developing a high technology, high quality, high skill and high value economy.

OCVC

Oxford and Cherwell Valley College is committed to offering the widest range of high quality learning opportunities in the region, to enable our students to obtain the skills and qualifications they need for higher education and their choice of a successful career.