Job market information
Finding out about chemicals
The chemicals industry is part of the broader science-based sector represented by Cogent Sector Skills Council, which also includes pharmaceuticals, nuclear, oil and gas, petroleum and polymer industries. Most goods used by people in their homes, at work and in their everyday activities are products derived from the chemical, nuclear, oil and gas, petroleum and polymer industries. The combined industries employ nearly half a million people in the UK and are of huge economic and strategic importance to the UK. It includes:
- Basic chemicals (including industrial gases, dyes and pigments, fertilisers and nitrogen compounds and plastics and synthetic rubber in primary forms)
- Pesticides and other products
- Soaps and detergents etc. (including cleaning and polishing preparations, perfumes and toilet preparations)
- Other products (including explosives, glues and gelatines and essential oils)
Key facts:
- The chemicals industry is one of the UK’s largest manufacturing industries and manufacturing’s number one exporter.
- It has grown five times faster than the average for all industries over last 10 years.
- The industry spends over £2 billion a year on new capital investment.
- There is a relatively high proportion of the workforce employed in medium-sized enterprises.
- Total employment in the chemicals industry has decreased by 53,000 since 1998 and employment across the whole sector is projected to continue to fall to 2017.
- Fewer, but more highly skilled and technology literate, employees will be expected to operate more flexibly and have crosscutting and change-management skills.
Jobs in the industry range from: Lab technician, Chemical Engineer, Plant Manager, Process Technician, Lab manager, Process Technician (mechanical, instruments, electrical), Graduate Engineer, and Senior Engineer.
Entry and progression
The chemical industry is a technology-driven, fast-moving environment. The careers are usually well-paid and long-term, with opportunities throughout the UK and often worldwide too. Progression is possible for those who are talented and want to get on. There are many ways into the industry:
- Straight from school or college and progress through operator and technician roles onwards to craftsperson status
- Through apprenticeships, such as the apprenticeship in process technology
- Further and higher education courses
- In-house training and development, of which there is a strong tradition in the sector as a whole
The National Skills Academies for the process and nuclear industries will accredit in-house training to ensure quality and consistency as well as help with transferability within and across the sector.
The Gold Standard, a national framework for continuous professional development, sets out the skills required in key job roles in the process industries by mapping competencies across each job.
After completing training, technicians are encouraged to apply for Engineering Technician registration with the Engineering Council UK and, if successful, gain professional status. Registration may be more straightforward for those who have followed a work-based learning route approved by a licensed professional engineering institution or gained:
- BTEC National Certificate or Diploma in engineering or construction
- Technical Certificate as part of an Advanced Apprenticeship
- An approved NVQ at Level 3
Chemical engineering technicians who qualify for professional status may have a wider choice of career development options. With HNC/HND or degree qualifications, a technician may be able to work their way up to the position of engineer.
For job specific entry requirements, take a look at our job profiles.
Workforce statistics
| Number of UK employees: |
240,000 |
|---|
| Number of UK employers: |
2,619 |
|---|
| Gender: |
73% male |
27% female |
|---|
| Ethnicity: |
95% white |
5% non-white |
|---|
| Age: |
7% of workforce is 16-24 years |
|---|
| 20% 25-34 years |
| 25% 35-44 years |
| 30% 45-54 years |
| 18% is 55 years and over |
| Only a small number of the workforce is part-time or self-employed; this is unlikely to change significantly over the next few years. |
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey (January-December), 2006.]
Employment trends and future prospects
Employment across the whole sector is projected to continue to fall to 2017, but at a slower rate than in previous years. Total employment in the chemical industry has declined from 171,000 to 118,000 over the last 8 years, which equates to a drop in employment of over 30%. The largest fall in employment is within the basic chemical sub-industry that has seen a decline of 31,000 employees.
The total number of enterprises in the Chemicals industry has declined by almost 12% since 1997. The number on enterprises across the industry now stands at just over 2,500. There has been on overall decrease in all areas of the Chemicals industry apart from pesticides and other agro chemicals. This sub-industry has risen almost 20% over 10 years.
Future prospects for the industry are mixed. Rising productivity and exports will allow continued growth, but greater dependence on foreign markets and exchange rates leaves chemicals more exposed to international events at a time when stricter environmental measures may be brought in to curb CO2 emissions at many chemicals plants.
Skill requirements and shortages
- Level 2 and 3 occupations such as process operators, technicians, skilled trades and business administration account for 53% of the overall workforce.
- There is an under supply of people qualified to S/NVQ level 2 and 3 compared to the proportion of jobs at those levels.
- There is a 16% deficit of people qualified at S/NVQ levels 2 and 3.
- The top four skills that need improving or updating according to employers are job-specific technical or practical skills, general IT user skills, team working and problem solving. 1
- Technology will be the main driver for upskilling the workforce and filling skills gaps.
Check here for specific details:
http://www.cogent-ssc.com/research/Publications/factsheets/Chemicals.pdf 
Occupational trends
Across the sector there is high demand for skilled managers, engineers and technicians, scientists, process operatives and professionals.
Chemical industry occupational distribution
| Managers and Senior Officials |
25% |
|---|
| Professional Occupations |
13% |
|---|
| Associate Professional and Technical |
14% |
|---|
| Administrative and Secretarial |
8% |
|---|
| Skilled Trades Occupations |
6% |
|---|
| Sales and Customer Service Occupations |
2% |
|---|
| Process, Plant and Machine Operatives |
21% |
|---|
| Elementary Occupations |
11% |
|---|
[N.B. Data derived from Labour Force Survey (January-December), 2006.]
National and regional data
Across Great Britain, there are an estimated 108,300 people working in chemicals manufacturing and processing. The largest number of employees is located in:
- North West
- South East
- Yorkshire and the Humber
- East Midlands
The industry is a strategic priority for many regions. There are significant clusters of chemical businesses in the East Midlands, West Midlands, Yorkshire and the Humber, Central Scotland and in Wales around Cardiff, Swansea, Newport and Wrexham. In the North East, there is a concentration of specialty chemicals companies.
Salary levels
Pay scales in this industry are variable and will depend on location, shift allowances and overtime. The following only provides an indication of current salaries:
- New entrants may start on around £14,500 a year
- Experienced technicians may earn around £21,000 a year
- Senior technicians may earn £30,000 a year or more
For more information on pay scales go to the Cogent job roles .
Career paths
Further sources
Produced Sept 2010, using Cogent AACS LMI report (June 2010)
1 taken from http://www.cogent-ssc.com/research/Publications/factsheets/Chemicals.pdf
