News

Local Polymer & Construction Sectors Collaborate to meet the Innovation and Commercialisation Challe

Northern Ireland Polymers Association (NIPA) and CITB NI have been working together for the past 12 months to help their sector companies identify and develop the necessary skills and management practices to improve their innovation and business performance.
 
The project brought together a total of 22 employers from both sectors to form three separate working groups. These groups worked together to define innovation issues and develop mechanisms and methodologies for effectively up-skilling staff in key areas of innovation and commercial exploitation.
 
These best practices and findings were shared at a combined workshop held at the Hilton Hotel, Templepatrick last week.

This Programme was developed and part funded by The UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES): UK Futures Programme.  Five collaborative projects across the UK were successful in their bids to test new ways to develop skills for innovation in manufacturing.
 
Barry Neilson, Chief Executive, CITB NI said, “This project was unique in its make up due to its cross-sector nature combining employers from Northern Ireland. The aim was to learn from each other and share experiences to help improve processes and people which in turn will ultimately benefit the overall business. The three groups approached the challenge in different ways and diverse discussions emerged. The main key learnings from the collaboration resulted in improved processes and approach, understanding the experience of others, influencing and networking skills.”
 
Hugh Ross, Chair, NIPA said: “This project has opened doors and helped with the overall innovation process for both the construction and polymers sectors. This collaborative way of working is not the end of the project but the beginning of the journey to help develop long term partnerships to develop operational and commercial efforts of those involved and beyond.”
 
A Breakfast event will be held to share findings with both sectors in Riddell Hall, Belfast on Friday, 24th June at 8.00-10.00am. If interested in attending please email your contact details to either michael@polymersni.com or amanda.stevenson@citbni.org.uk