Regions and Nations

Northern Ireland

The distribution of employers in Northern Ireland is heavily loaded to Belfast and areas with quick access to it, to make use of the transport and freight infrastructure. In the Polymer industry, 53% of the employers are located in the Co Armagh and Co Antrim areas, with a further 23% in Co Down. This reflects not only the areas of population, but the transport infrastructure to deliver their goods to the UK and European Markets. Petroleum products are spread over Northern Ireland in line with the population statistics. However, many local distributors are increasingly joining a larger organisation through acquisition or alliance, especially in fuel distribution where they can benefit from an economy of scale. Chemical and Pharmaceutical industries are, again, located close to the main transportation links within and leaving NI with 87% of employers located in Co Down, Co Antrim and Co Armagh. However the two main pharmaceutical employers in the province are located in Newry and Portadown.

Economic indicators
Cogent NI Cogent UK
Turnover £1.3bn £156bn
Cogent GVA £0.6bn £49bn
Cogent GVA per employee £37,695 £98,394
Number of employees 15,000 500,00
Mean weekly pay** £459.00 £381.50

Source: Annual Business Inquiry 2005
*UK GVA average per employee £31,419
*Industry estimate of total Cogent employment 906,000
**Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2007

Turnover in Northern Ireland has increased by £187 million since 1998. Gross value added has increased in the country by £77million since 1998. Cogent average mean weekly salary in Northern Ireland is £77.50 more than the UK.

Industry breakdown
Industry Total employment
Chemical 1,561
Pharmaceutical 1,541
Polymer 7,258
Petroleum 4,602
TOTAL 14,962

Source: Census of Employment 2005
* Only includes Retail Sale of Automotive Fuel

49% of employment in the Cogent sector in NI is within the Polymers industry and the 31% of the sector employment is based in retail sale of automotive fuel.

Chemical and Pharmaceutical industries each account for 10% of the sector workforce.

The skills gap


Source: Labour Force Survey 2007

Key skills issues for the Cogent industries in Northern Ireland:

  • 23% deficit of the workforce qualified to Level 2
  • 19% deficit of the workforce qualified to Level 3
  • Technicians and Operators are key roles in the region and these roles exist at levels 2 and 3.
Occupational profile


Source: Labour Force Survey 2007

Northern Ireland has a larger proportion of Associate Professional and Technical, Skilled Trades and Process Operators occupations than the UK Cogent sector. 32% of the Cogent workforce in Northern Ireland is employed in Process Operator roles.

Workforce distribution


Source: Labour Force Survey 2007

The sector in the region employs a larger proportion of females than the Cogent sector in the UK. 36% of workers are female. The region employs fewer part time workers than the Cogent sector in the UK.

Regional actions

Cogent has developed a new Polymer Apprenticeship, in association with the Northern Ireland Polymers Association.

We have recently completed the sector elements of our Northern Ireland Sector Skills Agreement and we are close to completing the action plans with public partners.

In conjunction with our partner organisations, we are developing cross-sectoral management and leadership courses to bring managers from different sectors together.

A key current development is to pull together a petroleum distributors forum in Northern Ireland to explore a common qualifications structure.