19th March 2002

cogent Sector Skill Council receives licence to operate

The Sector Skills Council for the Oil and Gas Extraction, Chemicals Manufacturing and Petroleum Industries.

The oil and gas extraction, chemicals manufacturing and petroleum industries celebrated a historical moment on 19th March with the recognition and licensing of their Sector Skills Council (SSC), which will operate under the name cogent.

In front of senior industry representatives gathered at the Ardoe House Hotel in Aberdeen, John Mumford, Chair of cogent, received the Sector Skills Council licence from Wendy Alexander MSP, Minister for Enterprise, Transport and Lifelong Learning, the Scottish Executive, in the presence of John Healey MP, Minister of Adult Skills, Department for Education and Skills.

On presenting the licence, Wendy Alexander said: “Scottish Ministers are highly committed to putting in place an effective Sector Skills Council network, both to enable employers to have a strong voice in identifying skills needs and to influence the effective delivery of relevant learning and training.   We want to ensure that every Scot is ready for the jobs of tomorrow.”

John Healey added: “I congratulate cogent on receiving its licence to operate as a Sector Skills Council.  As one of the first trailblazers, it can now officially start leading the drive to boost skills and workforce development in the UK oil and gas extraction, chemicals manufacturing and petroleum industries so they better fit the needs of firms in the sector.

He then pledged £2 million investment in the Sector Skills Council over two years: “The £2m worth of public investment we are putting into cogent from the Department for Education and Skills over the next two years underlines the Government’s and Scottish Executive’s commitment to ensure employers in these industries – large and small – are equipped with a well-trained, highly skilled workforce UK-wide.  We are offering greater investment from Government and greater influence with Government, our agencies and training providers.

“This is the start of a new era in bridging skills gaps”, he continued. “Sector Skills Councils have the support of Government to identify and provide solutions to meet the needs of real employers and I urge them to take advantage of this.  I’m sure cogent, under the chair of John Mumford, will be worthy of its trailblazing name.  As a trailblazer, we expect cogent to show employers in other sectors what can be achieved via SSCs.”

John Mumford thanked Wendy Alexander and John Healey on behalf of cogent and commented: “Today marks a major milestone in the development of cogent as the Sector Skills Council for the oil and gas extraction, chemicals manufacturing and petroleum industries.  Together, these industries make a significant contribution to the UK economy and the Board is looking forward to working with all those in the sector to improve business performance through developing skills”.

Concluding the ceremony, John Ramsay, cogent’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “This new organisation, built on the knowledge and experience of the three previous NTOs, is well equipped to work with employers and other stakeholders to address the future skills needs agenda. It is stronger, better resourced and closer to employers than the individual NTOs.  I would encourage all those with an interest in the sector to work with us in developing a strategy for skills, that will positively influence business performance throughout our industries.”

Major Oil Companies Pass on Fuel Duty Reductions Notes to Editors:

1 - Background to the creation of cogent:
In 2000, the Government launched a review of the role and effectiveness of the network of National Training Organisations (NTOs), originally set up to act as strategic bodies representing employers and developing skills in their sectors. 

Three NTOs, the Oil and Gas Extraction NTO (OPITO), the Petroleum Industry NTO (PINTO) and the Chemicals Manufacturing and Processing NTO, took this opportunity to review their operations and identify skills synergies between their sectors. Both reviews led to the creation of a smaller but stronger network of Sector Skills Councils as employer bodies leading the drive to improve skills and productivity in the UK, with the industries represented by OPITO, PINTO and the Chemicals Manufacturing and Processing NTO pioneering the process as a Trailblazer Sector Skills Council.

2 – Trailblazers:
Following the announcement of the development of Sector Skills Councils to replace NTOs, 31 organisations applied to receive trailblazer status. Working to a tighter deadline, trailblazers would receive additional support from Government and act as an exemplar for the building of the whole network of SSCs.  Five applicants wer granted such status:  Skillset (audio visual industries), Lantra (land-based industries), cogent and the proposed Sector Skills Councils for the Apparel, Footwear and Textiles industries and for the Retail industry.

3 - Biographies:
John Mumford, Chair:
John Mumford is Director of BP Oil UK. John became BP’s director in February 1998. His career with BP spans experience in a variety of marketing and refinery roles plus major mergers, acquisitions and restructuring projects. He also has experience of working in South East Asia, mainland Europe and Australasia.  He is currently President of UK Petroleum Industry Association, Director of the Energy Savings Trust, a member of SEEDA Infrastructure Committee and also sits on the Council of the Institute of Petroleum.  He was appointed Chair of cogent in February 2002.

John Ramsay, Chief Executive Officer:
John Ramsay was Chief Executive of the Oil & Gas Extraction NTO (OPITO).

John has worked with OPITO since 1991, when he joined the Board as a representative of the International Association of Drilling Contractors. He became Chief Executive in 1995. He comes from a construction industry background, and has also previously worked as European Personnel Manager for a Norwegian Drilling Contractor.  He was appointed Chief Executive Officer for cogent in January 2002.

Reports that major oil companies are now failing to pass on duty reductions through their own service stations networks appear highly unfounded.

Dr Frend added, "The refining and marketing companies that comprise UKPIA have responded magnificently to the challenge of introducing cleaner petrol and diesel in the UK, four years and six years, respectively, ahead of the EU timetable.