Materials Processing Institute

The Materials Processing Institute has received accreditation as a Living Wage employer.

Its commitment will see that everyone working at its Teesside-based research and innovation centre receives at least the hourly wage of £9.90.

The rate, which rises to £11.05 in London, is significantly higher than the current minimum wage for over 23s.

Currently, almost 213,000 (22 percent) of all North East jobs pay less than the real Living Wage, which provides a voluntary benchmark for employers that wish to ensure staff earn a salary they can live on.

Since 2011 the movement has delivered a pay rise to more than 250,000 people nationwide and put over £1.3 billion extra into the pockets of low paid workers.

Speaking during Living Wage Week (November 15-21), Chris McDonald, Chief Executive of the Institute, said: “We are pleased to become a Living Wage accredited employer and hope other organisations and businesses in the region will be inspired to follow our example.

“The Institute is already committed to encouraging more people from diverse backgrounds to pursue a career in innovative science and engineering-based technologies and paying a living wage is part of that.

“It’s hugely beneficial for both employees and employers alike, as well as simply being the right thing to do.”

The not-for-profit international research and innovation centre is involved in the development of advanced materials, industrial decarbonisation, the circular economy, and digital technologies – fields where women, ethnic minorities and those from low socio-economic backgrounds are traditionally under-represented.

It has a proud history of creating an open and welcoming working environment and is dedicated to supporting and maintaining a culture of equality and diversity – where staff can fulfil their potential.

Earlier this year, the Institute also signed up to the Race to Zero, an international campaign led by the United Nations Champions for Climate Action, which saw it pledge to halving its greenhouse gas emissions before 2030 and achieving net zero emissions before 2050.

Laura Gardiner, Director, Living Wage Foundation said: “We’re delighted that the Materials Processing Institute has joined the movement of over 7,000 responsible employers across the UK who voluntarily commit to go further than the government minimum to make sure all their staff earn enough to live on.”

It joins other household names that have signed up to becoming Living Wage employers, including Burberry, Barclays, Oxfam and Nestle.

ENDS

ISSUED ON BEHALF OF MATERIALS PROCESSING INSTITUTE

MEDIA CONTACT: Andrew Douglas 01325 363 436

Photo caption: Melissa Bevington, Human Resources Manager, joins Chief Executive Chris McDonald to mark the Institute’s accreditation as a Living Wage employer

Notes to editors:

Materials Processing Institute

The Materials Processing Institute is a research and innovation centre serving global steel and materials organisations that work in advanced materials, industrial decarbonisation, the circular economy and digital technologies.

The Institute has served as the UK’s national steel innovation centre since 1944 having been set up by Sir Winston Churchill’s wartime government just before D-Day to equip the British steel industry for post-war reconstruction. It celebrated its 75^th anniversary in 2019.

Through collaboration with its customers, the Institute provides a range of technology and R&D based services and consultancy. It also has pilot and demonstration facilities and an SME Technology Centre to support supply chain businesses with the development of new technologies and products.

Works with: steel, metals and alloys, chemical processes, aerospace and defence, energy, mining and quarrying, construction, rail, transport, and infrastructure, offshore, subsea, and nuclear.

The Materials Processing Institute includes developments funded through Tees Valley Combined Authority, through the Local Growth Fund (Growth Deal).