David Hall
David Hall making the announcement at the BPF's annual dinner
The British Plastics Federation has announced new strategy for the UK plastics industry set to raise its profile via a number of channels.
Following a grant of money awarded by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the strategy is set to be launched in early 2016 and covers topics such as raising the profile of the industry, Circular Economy, collaboration across the UK supply chain, future markets for plastics products, and a greater engagement with the UK design community.
BPF President, David Hall, made the announcement during the association’s annual dinner. He also said another key issue which is set to be covered by the strategy is education and skills.
As a result of the new strategy and work by the BPF's Education and Skills Committee, Hall announced the BPF's intention to launch a ‘Polymer Ambassadors Programme’ and called on members of the Federation to play a part by volunteering some of their time to talk to children in local schools.
Referred to as 'Polymer Ambassadors', these individuals will be provided with educational kits, lesson plans and a tailored letter for use when writing to local schools.
Speaking of the initiative, Hall said: "This is a great opportunity to explain what an innovative material plastic really is, as well as illustrating to children the attractiveness the industry. I'm confident that we can achieve great things if we come together as one to combine our expertise and enthusiasm for plastics."
The announcement comes in time for ‘Tomorrow’s Engineers Week’, (2-6 November) which is an initiative encouraging industry to promote careers for young people. You can read more about TE Week here.
Finally, the occasion of the Federation’s annual dinner saw Mike Jones of Distrupol and Dr Stuart Patrick announced as upcoming recipients of the BPF Gold Medal for their distinguished services to the association, as well as the presentation of the Horners Award to the 2015 winner and runner up, Guardian and Oxtex respectively.