Member Article

Chemical company boss "goes back to the floor"

Chemical company boss Paul Booth has gone “back to the floor” as part of a campaign to promote the business benefits of apprenticeships. His path to becoming the UK President of SABIC, one of the world’s industrial giants, started off through an apprenticeship on Teesside.

Paul went back to his roots to experience the sort of training on offer for apprentices today and to tell the young learners, and employers, what can be achieved through the programme.

Paul, along with Diane Hunt, partnership director of the Learning and Skills Council North East, went back to basics, operating large industrial equipment which requires a high level of skill to use. They also spent some time with apprentices, including SABIC sponsored trainees, at the TTE Technical Training Group.

Paul said: “Apprenticeships offered the foundations to a successful and long career when I started out and that is still true today. Whatever position you hold in this industry, there is no substitute for having a strong understanding of the practical issues a business has to deal with.

“Through Apprenticeships, businesses get the best of both worlds, with the young trainees gaining meaningful qualifications through college day release, whilst also becoming well-versed in the company’s methods through their day to day work.

Chris Roberts, LSC North East, regional director, said: “Paul’s experiences and career highlight that the Apprenticeship programme can provide a genuine alternative way of starting a career, as they can lead to university and beyond.

“Thousands of companies across the North East are appreciating the benefits of the programme. Apprenticeships provide employers with the opportunity to shape their company’s future and are a great way to improve productivity, loyalty and quality of staff through relevant on the job training and structured learning.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .