Solutions 4 Polymers Limited Press Release: Industry to Benefit from New Polymer Qualification

Solutions 4 Polymers and G&A Moulding Technology have teamed up to create a brand new level 3 vocational qualification.

For several years employers have highlighted there is no nationally recognised technically focussed polymer qualifications and that there is an urgent need to fill this gap. Whilst there are a now a full suite of QCF Polymer competence qualifications available through
PAA\VQ-SET, employers felt that these needed to be complimented by a knowledge qualification with greater in-depth technical understanding of polymer processing.

To fill this gap S4P and G&A, supported by The College of West Anglia and the Awarding Organisation, PAA\VQ-SET have collaborated to produce a new level 3 technical qualification.
The new qualification called PAA\VQ-SET Level 3 Diploma in Polymer Manufacturing Technologies (QCF) has now been formally accredited by the regulator Ofqual and has been welcomed by employers as exactly what is required. 

Andy Barnard of S4P commented “The qualification was  developed following consultation with companies across the UK and has been 2 years in the making; it has been devised based on what employers want and need, to establish the technical abilities of employees  who have responsibilities for ensuring processes are set up and perform to the highest standards.

John Goff of G&A also comments “Formalised recognition for people who undertake technical hands on roles is long overdue. It is widely known that both S4P and G&A provide technical training at this level, but none of the programmes carried any formal recognition. There are higher level qualifications available which probably cater for about 10% of the polymer workforce, but what industry has wanted is something for the remaining 90%”.

The qualification can be achieved as a stand-alone qualification and has also been added as a Knowledge Qualification to the Polymer Advanced Apprenticeship Framework. All the major polymer processes are covered and additional processes can be added to it should the need arise.

Toolroom Manager, Mark Russell from Hypro EU Ltd (Pentair Flow Technologies) has welcomed the qualification and said “for some time we had been looking to take on a new apprentice, but we never felt that the content available was suitable for someone at technician level, so we contacted S4PL with our concerns and this new qualification is exactly what we required and has already started to reap us benefits from the knowledge that our apprentice has gained in the pilot. The added benefit is that it can also be delivered on-site which for us significantly reduced the internal costs of our apprentice”

Neil Skyba of Polymermedics has said “We have been utilising the excellent training provided by G&A for many years now and truly believe that it has delivered a massive benefit to the productivity of our business. Now that we can further enhance this benefit through training which can be rewarded by a nationally recognised qualification which will be supported by a funding stream will allow the business to up skill more of our employees”

For further details of the new qualification:

PAA\VQ-SET, 01543 254223, www.paa-uk-org  

Solutions 4 Polymers Ltd , 07773 373127, www.solutions4polymers.co.uk

G&A Moulding Technology Ltd, 01733 232211, www.gandamoulding.co.uk  

Note to editors:

Ofqual Regulate a wide range of vocational qualifications both in England and Northern Ireland. They also Regulate GCSEs, A levels in the National Curriculum Assessments in England. Ofqual Regulate by recognising and monitoring organisations that deliver qualifications and assessments as set out in the Apprenticeship, Skills, Children and Learning Act (2009) and Education Act (2011).