Humber Chemical Focus
Where Are We Now?
HCF runs a number of conferences, events and network groups as well as community liaison panels.
The purpose of the network groups is to bring members together to discuss topical issues, share best practice and to ensure positive progression of the Humber Chemical Industry within the region. The existing networks groups are as follows; Environmental Managers, HR Managers, REACH, ChemSkills, Human Factors, Major Hazards Group and Fire & Security. The groups are made up of core and strategic HCF members who meet on a regular basis.
Community Liaison panels have been created to ensure that the industry considers the impact they may have on the surrounding residential areas, taking measures to go beyond simply adhering to current legislation, taking on board the views of the local residents. A recent example of this is a collaborative effort between Great Coates Village Council, Novartis, Lenzing Fibers, Huntsman, Bluestar Fibres, Ciba, Humber Chemical Focus and North East Lincolnshire Council to reduce speeding through the village by placing flashing speeding signs next to the nursery, tying in with the posters created by local children to encourage those speeding to kill their speed and not a child.
The ChemSkills Group, which is made up of HR and Training Managers from well known companies within the chemical manufacturing and process industries on the north and south bank of the Humber, have collaborated with HCF and Hull college to design and implement a new Process Technician Apprenticeship bridging the skills shortage and creating 30 places for young people in the area. The Apprenticeship has been designed by industry for industry meaning the apprentices will leave with the necessary knowledge, skills and understanding of the industry positioning them for their future careers. The training for the apprenticeship is to be delivered by Hull College at CATCH based in Stallingborough North East Lincolnshire.
CATCH originated a project led by an industrial consortium and which was co-ordinated by HCF. CATCH is now a self sustaining subsidiary of HCF providing the local area with state of the art training and conference facilities which are used on a regular basis not only be the chemical cluster but also by organisations such as the NHS. The world class training facilities offer apprentices a chance to train and learn new skills in a real-life plant environment.
Humber Chemical Focus offers three types of membership to companies within the Humber Region, Associate, Core and Strategic. Associate members are placed on all distribution lists receiving regular information and updates on issues, events and conferences from HCF and other member companies, are invited to networking activities and can submit material to the HCF website and newsletter. Core & Strategic members are entitled to the same as Associate only they are also part of the network groups and can apply to be represented on the HCF board of directors.
For those interested in membership please contact Laura Gray:
T: 01469 552841
