The chemical industry involves the manufacturing of:

• commodity and speciality chemicals
• consumer products, such as cosmetics and detergents
• active ingredients for the pharmaceutical industry

The chemical industry is one of the largest manufacturing industries in the UK and has one of the highest growth rates.  It has sales of £34 billion, but it is fundamentally a research based industry.  It is spending around £400 million per annum on training. 

There are approximately 175,450 people employed in the manufacture of chemical ingredients.  Employment is concentrated in skilled trade, technical and process operator job roles.  Employment levels in the industry are predicted to continue to fall in the future.

Over the next decade, many companies will be recruiting large numbers of young people, graduates and adults.

The North West comprises almost a quarter of UK employment in the industry and has over 55% of the UK’s employees in basic inorganic chemicals.  However, the North East and Yorkshire and Humber are key regions for employment in the industry with 28,000 employees.  25 firms, employing 4,400, manufacture dyes and pigments accounting for 40% of the UK total.

The industry contributed 2% of UK Gross Domestic Product in 2003 and is UK manufacturing’s top export earner.

Drivers of change:

• the economic conditions of the UK and wider markets
• diminished trade barriers between European countries and reduced national prices difference resulting in increased competition
• perceived impact of chemical products on both the environment and health
• intensified competition from globalisation
• government and EU policy
• technological developments

For more future trends and challenges in the industry go to future drivers in the sector and its industries.

The industry traditionally recruits form both further and higher education for specialist jobs, for instance:

• degrees, higher degrees and doctorates are required for highly specialised research and technical staff in applied science and engineering roles
• generalists, usually graduates, are required to have a level of scientific/technical understanding and numeracy
• technicians with practical competence are likely to have HNC/HND/Modern Apprenticeship

Generic skills are of significant important to the development of the industry.

Source:  Cogent website 2006; Cogent Skill Needs Assessment 2006 and; Chemicals Industry Association website

Click here for details on the workforce profile and dimensions of equal opportunities.

For more information on future skills in the sector go to the Skills Network Group of the Chemistry Leadership Council 2004 report Skills for the 21st Century Chemicals Industry.  For more information on the regional profile of the workforce see: