A SENIOR manager at Runcorn chemicals giant Ineos says chemicals firms need to pull together to end the skills crisis hitting the sector.

Tom Crotty, Chief Executive of Ineos Olefins and Polymers, says 40% of the workforce in the “process industries” sector – including the chemicals, polymers and pharmaceutical industries – are aged 45 or over.

Mr Crotty said: “It is vital that we continue to train our workforce despite the current economic pressures.

“As employers, we need to take an active lead in ensuring we manage the skills agenda. Collectively we have an ageing workforce and a real slowdown of young people entering the industries, which is already making itself felt, particularly through the contractor base.”

Mr Crotty said employers and training providers should work together with the National Skills Academy Process Industries, which aims to address training issues in the sector.

He said: “Employers will benefit from using industry-specific training providers who understand what we want and how we want it delivered.

“We have a real opportunity to come together and tackle the urgent skills issues facing the industries.

“If North West employers are unsure about what to do and where to go for advice, their first port of call should be to join the ranks of businesses who are already working very successfully with the academy.”