Measures to promote both the public understanding of science and training in scientific disciplines are essential. Public awareness of contemporary issues enables informed debate and thus participation in the democratic process. Involvement in training is also important in order to meet the demands of industry for personnel with appropriate skills. Both actions are required to ensure continued innovation and competitiveness. The Centre seeks to encourage Science Communication activities that will promote science to the wider community and to be of benefit to industry, academic institutions and statutory bodies of the North West region.

The Chester Centre for Science Communication was established in response to the recognised shortage of workforce skills in science within the North West. The aim of the Centre is to promote public understanding and engagement with science. Science is considered to consist of the broad areas of science, technology, health and innovation. The objectives of the Centre are:

· Provision of a focus and resource base for science communication activities.
· Promotion of training and careers in science.
· Development of activities to widen access and participation in higher education.
· Contribution to the science culture of the North West.
· Assist the interaction between academia and industry.

The Centre for Science Communication is currently undertaking various activities that satisfy a range of objectives of the Regional Ecopnomic Strategy and the Regional Science Strategy. The Centre has established partnerships with Industry, SMEs, training providers, statutory bodies, schools and colleges; primarily with a sub-regional focus.

British Technical Council of the Motor & Petroleum Industries - www.btcmpi.org.uk
The BTC promotes the use of standardised test procedures for automotive fuels and lubricants and develops and implements quality test procedures, in concert with similar organisations in other European countries. BTC is a non-commercial organisation and membership is by application. Membership of BTC is open to companies or organisations operating in the UK and contributing, either by manufacturing or laboratory testing, to the business of the motor, petroleum and allied industries.

Chartered Management Institute – www.managers.org.uk
The leading organisation for professional management.

Chemical Industries Association – www.cia.org.uk
The Chemical Industries Association is the UK chemical industry's leading trade and employer organisation and embraces all the industry's trade sectors, product types and business activities.

The Engineer – www.e4engineering.com
The Engineer provides a mix of news, features and analysis of emerging technologies, innovations and applications across industries, plus interviews with leading engineers.

Engineering Industries Association – www.eia.co.uk
The Engineering Industries Association mission is to actively encourages the pursuit of excellence, providing a network of information and assistance with effective lobbying and representation - helping promote the engineering industry in the UK, Europe and global markets.

The Institution of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE) – www.iagre.org
The professional body for engineers, scientists, technologists and managers in agricultural and allied land-based industries, including forestry, food engineering and technology, amenity, renewable energy, horticulture and the environment.

Institution of Civil Engineers – www.ice.org.uk
Institution of Civil Engineers is an independent engineering institution. It was established in 1818, and today represents almost 80,000 professionally qualified civil engineers worldwide.

Institute of Chemical Engineers – www.inchem.org
IChemE is a highly-respected international body that provides services for and represents the interests of those involved in chemical, biochemical and process engineering world-wide.

The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology (IMarEST) – www.imarest.org
An international professional membership body and learned society for all marine professionals. IMarEST (formerly known as the Institute of Marine Engineers) is the first professional Institute to adopt an all-embracing approach and recognise the need to bring together marine engineers, scientists and technologists.

Institute for Operations Research and Management Sciences – www.informs.org
Institute for Operations Research and the Management Sciences - INFORMS - This is INFORMS Online, where a wealth of detail is provided.

North West Chemical Initiative – www.nwci.org.uk
The North West Chemical Initiative is an industry led organisation committed to the continued and sustained success of the chemical industry in the North West.

Association of Business Recovery Professionals - www.r3.org.uk/
R3 is the leading professional association for business recovery, corporate reconstruction, insolvency and turnaround specialists in the UK.

Skills for Employers - www.dfes.gov.uk
Dedicated website to help you as an employer make better informed decisions about training your employees and developing your business by investing in your workforce.

Telecommunications Industry Association – www.tia.org.uk
The Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA), formed in 1984 as a non-profit making organisation owned by its members, is the prime national trade association for the telecommunications industry in Great Britain.

Women’s Engineering Society - www.wes.org.uk
Promotes the education, training and practice of engineering among women

North West Aerospace Alliance – www.aerospace.co.uk
The NWAA's key objectives are aimed at creating conditions in which the region's aerospace industry can increase market share and remain a leading generator of wealth.

Confederation of British Industry (CBI) – www.cbi.org.uk
CBI is the UK's largest employers' organisation. Visit their site to find out more about their recommendations for tackling the current skills shortage problem.

Campaign to Promote Engineering – www.cpe.org.uk
The campaign is industry led, project based and supported by the government. Its objectives are to make the UK public aware of the important role that engineering plays in our quality of life and national wealth and to help industry meet the challenge of the shortage of engineers by promoting engineering as an exciting and rewarding career.

Engineering Employers Federation North West - www.eef.org.uk
The voice of manufacturing in the UK, using local knowledge and expertise to campaign for members' interests at regional, national and international level.

Engineering & Technology Board – www.etechb.co.uk
ETB is a national partnership to promote science, engineering and technology

Women in Science & Engineering – www.etechb.co.uk/campaigns/athena.asp
WISE aims to enable young women to find out more about the fun and excitement of a career in science, engineering and technology and the options available.

Workplace Basic Skills Network – www.lancs.ac.uk/wbsnet
WBSN is a membership organisation, which works with training providers, employers, trade unions and other agencies to enhance and extend basic skills training in the work place.

The Royal Academy of Engineering – www.raeng.org.uk
The Academy brings together over 1200 distinguished engineers who come from all engineering disciplines. Our aim is to promote excellence in engineering for the benefit of the people of the United Kingdom.

Small Business Service - www.sbs.gov.uk/
The Small Business Service is one of the key driving forces taking forward the Government Action Plan for Small Business published in January 2004. This website provides the public, researchers, the media, and policy makers with information about who we are and what we are doing.

South Cheshire Chamber – www.southcheshirechamber.org.uk
A new information and communication tool for businesses in South Cheshire.

Trade Union Congress – www.tuc.org.uk
With more than 70 member unions representing nearly seven million people from all walks of life, the TUC campaigns for a fair deal at work and for social justice at home and abroad.

ASSA Training & Learning – www.assagateway.com
Assaworld is an internet-based learning environment and communication portal. Our aim is to encourage lifelong learning, and empower you to further your career opportunities and personal development.

Englands Northwest - www.englandsnorthwest.com/ -
The englandsnorthwest.com website and its component sites are managed and co-ordinated by the Northwest Development Agency, on behalf of the Northwest Regional Marketing Forum. The Forum is a strategic partnership with a remit to raise the profile of England's Northwest.

Northwest plc – www.northwestplc.com
An on-line guide to the business region, investment opportunities and capital projects.

Northwest Science - www.northwestscience.co.uk/
Northwest Science is a partnership of leading business, academic and economic development organisations committed to establishing a common vision for science in the region and developing strategy to make things happen.

North West Chamber of Commerce - www.nwchambers.com
This website will keep you up to date with all the latest news and events from your local Chamber of Commerce.

The e-Science North West Centre (ESNW) - www.esnw.ac.uk
The E-Science North West Centre (ESNW) is a research facility based at the University of Manchester. ESNW collaborates with industrial partners to sponsor and manage a portfolio of e-science projects and Grid technologies in the North West region.

Aerospace Technology – www.aerospace-technology.com
The web site for the aerospace industry.

Air Force Technology – www.airforce-technology.com
The Website for Defence Industries - Air Force

Airport Technology – www.airport-technology.com

Chemicals Technology – www.chemicals-technology.com
The Website for the Chemicals Industry

Chemical Industries Association – www.cia.org.uk
Trade and employer's association serving the chemical industry of the United Kingdom. Learn about the industry and find out about the benefits of association membership.

Hydrocarbons Technology – www.hydrocarbons-technology.com
The Website for the Hydrocarbons Industry

Mining Technology – www.mining-technology.com
The Website for the Mining Industry

Mobile Cellular Technology – www.mobilecomms-technology.com
The Website for the Mobile and Cellular Communications Industry

Naval Technology – www.naval-technology.com
The Website for Defence Industries – Navy

New Electronics – www.neon.co.uk
The UK’s leading trade and technical magazine serving the electronics design community. Published fortnightly, this bright and lively magazine is read avidly by senior designers, technologists and engineering managers throughout the UK.

Offshore Technology – www.offshore-technology.com
The Website for the Offshore Oil and Gas Industry

Pharmaceutical Technology – www.pharmaceutical-technology.com
The Website for the Pharmaceutical Industry

Power Technology – www.power-technology.com
The Website for the Power Industry

Railway Technology – www.railway-technology.com
The Website for the Railway Industry

Ship Technology – www.ship-technology.com
The Website for the Cruise and Shipbuilding Industry

Cranfield University – www.silsoe.cranfield.ac.uk
Agricultural Engineering

Chemical Manufacturing – www.sourcerer.co.uk
The gateway to the Chemical Industry of the United Kingdom. Sourcerer will guide you quickly to the chemical products and services available from the UK and to the companies who can supply what you need.

Space Technology – www.space-technology.com
The Website for the Space Industry

UK Online for Business – www.ukonlineforbusiness.gov.uk
DTI site for small businesses providing impartial advice on Information and Communication Technologies

Water Technology – www.water-technology.com
The Website for the Water Industry

Connecting Industry – www.connectingindustry.com
Web site serving UK manufacturing industry. The site completes the portfolio of media offered by Connecting Industry - the trading brand of the Wilmington Industrial Publishing Group.

The Engineering Council (UK) – www.engc.org.uk
Engineering Council (UK) is responsible for regulating the engineering profession in the UK and runs the National Register of Chartered Engineers, Incorporated Engineers and Engineering Technicians.

Engineering Technology Site – www.engineers4engineers.co.uk
Technical Information For the Professional Engineer. Design, Electronic, Electrical, Consulting, Mechanical, IT, Software etc. Links to vast sources of engineering information.

The BIZ – the Business-to-business Directory – www.thebiz.co.uk
Register now and add your company, training products or business events to the UK's dedicated Business to Business Directory.

theITbridge – www.theitbridge.com/about_us/about_us.htm
The IT bridge vision is to enable small and medium sized businesses to enjoy real benefits from the use of the Internet & Internet technology in such a way that it forms an integral part of their business. Solutions cover all aspects of managing a business from accounts systems through to fully integrated web solutions.

AchieveGlobal – www.achieveglobal.com
AchieveGlobal is the world leader in helping organisations translate business strategies into business results by developing the skills and performance of their people. Our learning-based solutions focus on skills training and consulting services in sales performance, customer service, leadership and teamwork.

TUC Learning Services – www.learningservices.org.uk
Provides the strategic framework to support the union role in learning and skills, and gives training and support to the growing number of Learning Reps.

Northern Technologies – www.northerntech.co.uk
Provide a complete range of professional services, helping companies keep pace with the global marketplace.

Pendle Training – www.pendletraining.org
Training company division of Northern Technologies.

Partnership for Learning – www.pfl.org.uk
Partnership for Learning brings together private companies, public sector agencies and the community in a unique charitable company. Manufacturing practitioners.

Teaching Company Scheme (TCS) – www.tcsonline.org.uk
TCS is a UK government scheme that enables firms to take advantage of the wide range of expertise available in the knowledge base. Through TCS, partnerships are formed between UK companies and groups of staff, often from different disciplines, in the UK knowledge base organisations. The partnerships are called TCS Programmes.

Waterton Technology Centre – www.waterton.co.uk
Training Organisation that prides itself in delivering top quality, high level skilled training programmes through its own staff, consultants and partners chosen for their expertise in the manufacturing sector.

XR Training & Consultancy – www.xr-associates.co.uk
Offer fully integrated manufacturing solutions to ensure that your people and processes are World Class.

AccountAbility – www.accountability.org.uk
AccountAbility is an international, not-for-profit, professional institute dedicated to the promotion of social, ethical and overall organizational accountability, a precondition for achieving sustainable development.

NCBS – www.ncbe.co.uk
The NCBS is a solutions-oriented consultancy, set up to help organisations improve their environmental and social performance in ways which make business sense. The NCBS approach is based on best practice in social and ethical accounting, auditing and reporting (SEAAR) as set out in international standards such as AA1000, and GRI. The NCBS is a member of the Institute for Social and Ethical Accountability (ISEA) and the Social Venture Network (SVN). The NCBS is also a member of Ethical Junction.

Ethical Junction – www.ethical-junction.org
Ethical Junction is a one-stop shop for ethical organisations and ethical trading. This portal has an ethical shopping centre, a search engine that only searches ethical organisations and the directory is full of hundreds of organisations representing a huge range of businesses and interests.

Business in Community – www.bitc.org.uk
BITC is a unique movement of over 700 of the UK's top companies commited to improving their positive impact upon society.

Corporate Culture – www.cc-plc.com
Corporate Culture’s purpose is to help organisations win trust by effectively managing their reputation, their responsibilities and their relationships with all stakeholders.

Avecia
Blackley, Manchester, UK
http://www.avecia.com

Akzo - Akcros Chemicals (HQ)
Eccles, Manchester
http://www.akcros.com

Asahi Glass Fluoropolymers U.K. Ltd
Thornton Cleveleys Blackpool, Lancashire
http://www.fluoropolymers.com/main.html

BASF plc
Cheadle Hulme Cheadle, Cheshire
http://www.basf.de/uk/

Basell
Chester, Cheshire
http://www.basell.com

Brunner Mond Group plc
Northwich, Cheshire
www.brunnermond.com

Ciba Specialty Chemicals
Clayton, Manchester
www.cibasc.com

Clariant Life Science Molecules (UK) Ltd
Cadishead, Manchester
http://www.clariant.com

Croda Colloids Ltd
Widnes Cheshire
www.croda.co.uk/

Dow Chemical (Haltermann)
Workington, Cumbria
www.dow.com

Great Lakes Chemical Corporation
Ellesmere Port
www.greatlakes.com

ICI (Quest, Uniqema)
Bebbington & Bromborough, Wirral
www.ici.com

INEOS (Acrylics, Chlor, Fluor, Silicas)
Darwen, Runcorn, Warrington
www.ineos.com/

Kemira Agro
Chester, Cheshire
www.kemira.com

Nova Chemicals
Carrington, Urmston
www.novachem.com/

Octel Corp.
Ellesmere Port & Manchester
www.octel-corp.com

Procter & Gamble
Trafford Park, Manchester
www.pg.com

Rhodia
Clayton, Eccles & Stockport
www.rhodia.com

Shell Chemicals
Chester
www.shell.co.uk

Solvay Interox and Speciality Chemicals
Northwich and Warrington
www.solvay.com