LINPAC vice-pesident in call to tackle skills crisis

May 11 2009 by Henryk Zientek, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Mr Horton, who also chairs the skills academy’s national board, said: “We need to manage the short, medium and long term skills of our people in the most resourceful way possible.

“The academy is leading the way in our industry and is the first point of contact for accessing advice and funding sources.

“With a sector compact of £50m secured from the Government for skills training, the money is there to help but process industry employers must come forward and grab it.”

Skills academy chief executive Phil Jones said:Š “We are delighted with the number of employers and training providers in attendance – but we need more employers to join our regional and national boards to help shape the future of our industry.

“These are not just talking shops – they have real budgetary responsibility and influence over what we do in the regions to create world-class workforces of the future.

“We would particularly encourage small and medium-sized firms to get involved with the academy as they have an invaluable role to play and employ the lion’s share of the sector workforce.”