Northwoods was contracted during 2004 to undertake an analysis of the North East's biomass sector.  The resulting report sets out, for the first time, the skills required by those working at all levels and in all occupations within the North East's embryonic biomass sector.

The report outlines a wide-ranging and detailed sector model, as relevant to any other part of the country as it is to the North East.  There has been no similar piece of work undertaken anywhere in the UK to date, and until now, no clear model of what actually constitutes a biomass sector. The report takes each sector of the model in turn and develops the practical activities that would be required of enterprises and individuals operating within it. These are then further developed into a range of Competency Statements which capture the day to day tasks that individuals would be expected to undertake in a biomass sector jobs.

Diagram : Biomass Sector Model (Northwoods)

Each of these statements is then "mapped" against the level at which the task sits within the National Qualifications Framework. With this process complete, further research was used to highlight the training that is currently available in the sector.   Findings indicate that, with one or two exceptions, there is an almost total lack of training provision for the sector, although there are a range of training courses in allied sectors that may offer opportunities for modification. A comprehensive database of available training was produced as part of the research.   If you want to support the development of biomass skills in your own region, there are few better places to start than this report. To download a copy of the Executive Summary, click on the PDF icon below.  For a copy of the full report, please contact Neil at Northwoods on 01669 621 489.         Executive Summary (13kb)