IChemE launches specialist training for first-time managers
16th July 2025
IChemE has launched a new training course to help chemical, process and biochemical engineers develop the skills they need to succeed in their first management role.
New Managers in Chemical and Process Engineering is tailored to tackle some of the specific challenges facing new and emerging managers in the chemical and process industries, setting it apart from other general management and leadership training courses. Alongside core management skills, the course explores leading change and driving continuous improvement in a process engineering environment.
Participants are also invited to participate in one-to-one follow up sessions with the course director 12 weeks after the training to discuss learning implementation and progress against a personalised development plan that forms part of the course.
“Many first-time engineering managers are highly skilled technically, but may lack the wider business and people-management skills required to succeed,” said Matt Stalker, IChemE Associate Director. “This course fills that gap by focusing on the realities of managing in a process engineering environment.
The course was piloted at the Institution’s Rugby HQ in July and was well received by attendees. David Powell, Principal Process Engineer at Assystem said: “It's very different to more generic, line management training… This felt a lot more real, looking at the day-to-day activities as a line manager within engineering.”
Rebecca Hord, Process Safety Engineer at Yorkshire Water said: “Because it's tailored to engineers, you've got like-minded people in the room who can relate to everything being discussed, but can also give relevant real-life experiences and examples."
The new course is offered as a live face-to-face course and a modular online course. It can also be delivered as an in-company course where content can be customised to meet the specific needs of an organisation.
The next dates for the course are:
The training is part of IChemE’s wider programme to support new and emerging managers, which also includes member-exclusive professional learning webinars on leading and management topics.
Links
New Managers in Chemical and Process Engineering courses
What is chemical engineering?
Chemical, biochemical and process engineering is the application of science, mathematics and economics in the process of turning raw materials into everyday, and more specialist, products. Professional chemical engineers design, construct and manage process operations all over the world. Energy, pharmaceuticals, food and drink, synthetic fibres and clean drinking water are just some of the industry sectors and products where chemical engineering plays a central role.
IChemE
The Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) advances chemical engineering's contribution for the benefit of society. We facilitate the development of chemical engineering professionals and provide connections to a powerful network of around 32,000 members in more than 100 countries.
We support our members in applying their expertise and experience to make an influential contribution to solving major global challenges, and are the only organisation permitted to award Chartered Chemical Engineer status and Professional Process Safety Engineer registration.