EAST Lancashire Chamber of Commerce chief executive Mike Damms has hailed the growing number of local companies taking on new staff.

Now he wants schools, colleges and training providers to meet the challenge of ensuring local people, especially youngsters, have the skills needed to take advantage of increasing job opportunities.

Among firms looking to recruit 30-plus employees in the coming year are Merc Group, in Barrowford, Wec Group of Darwen, Fort Vale Engineering, in Burnley, and Graham Engineering, of Nelson.

Major companies on the lookout for new staff locally include BT and Capita Symonds, Euro Garages, and MDA, all in Blackburn Other employers to notify the chamber of recruitment include New Call Telecom, in Simonstone, Daisy Group, of Nelson, and Burnley’s University Technical College.

Blackburn firm Accrol Papers confirmed that it had completed its 12-month recruitment programme for 100 new staff.

Its commercial director Tim Bullough said: “Employee numbers currently stand at close to 250, and all employees have been recruited from the local area. Up to present, we have experienced little difficulty in the recruitment process.”

Other firms that have recently expanded their workforce include Charter Walk shopping mall, in Burnley, and Easybase Homes Limited, in Blackburn.

Mr Damms said: “We are seeing a welcome increase in recruitment. We have had to take on five new staff to deal with increased demand from expanding firms.

“This means that companies are looking to find new staff, and it is important local schools, colleges and training providers meet the challenge of providing the skills that local firms need.

“This is all good news for East Lancashire companies and local job seekers, especially young people.”

Blackburn with Darwen Council regeneration boss Maureen Bateson said: “We are working closely with businesses of all sizes across Pennine Lancashire to support them and create more jobs, and are very busy at the moment.”