A new challenge was recently laid down by Dr.Tony Van Osselaer, [Member of the Executive Committee and of the Board of Management of Bayer MaterialScience AG] for the EIIL to look into whether it is able to help with BMS's induction of high-potential non-technical professionals into the process industry with some sort of programme to help them appreciate the basic processes and technologies fundamental to their business. We already have some excellent internal programmes run by some of our technology experts, but we're interested in whether the EIIL's learning style and approach can help us to enhance these' said Dr Van Osselaer.

'The EIIL has so far addressed registration enquiries from other functions by explaining that our workshops, whilst aimed at technical professionals, have nothing by way ofcontent which would preclude any non-technical colleagues from participating'said EIIL director Steve Price, responsible for the current workshop programme. 

'In fact we've had several non-technical people who have participated fully and contributed much to several of our workshops, both masterclass and non-masterclass workshops. This is the first time we've been asked to address the non-technical community specifically, by developing something new, but why not? It’s not inconsistent with our Institute's aims, and we have built up some really valuable experience in the last few years.'

After recent approval by the EIIL Board, the initiative, working title 'Process Industry Foundations', will be initially investigated by EIIL Director Dr Guido Bognolo who will present an outline proposal to the EIIL Industrial Advisory Board in December.

This exciting new development opportunity comes as the EIIL prepares for another new initiative; the first 'senior level' masterclass workshop.  The Programme Management pilot workshop in September, initiated partly in repsonse to a request from new member Uhde, will be aimed at, and attended by, practitioners at higher work levels than the existing programme participants. Feedback from the pilot workshop will be used to formulate a proposal to December's Industrial Advisory Board as to whether the masterclass format is suited to participants at higher work levels, and if so, whether new, or a selection of the existing, masterclass workshops should be run for more senior managers during 2011. New Corporate Member Air Liquide has already expressed interest in EIIL masterclass-style opportunities for higher management levels.