A £100,000 windfall is set to boost East Lancashire's small businesses.
The Higher Level Skills Brokerage at the East Lancashire training and Enterprise Council has received the cash from the North West Regional Development Agency.
The money will be aimed at small and medium sized firms in the area.
It will help fund initiatives such as the NVQ 5 management programme, the Graduate Recruitment and Development service and the Teaching Company Scheme.
"Much has been written about the skills gaps which are holding back British industry and commerce," said Harry Buls of the training and enterprise council.
"And we are certainly acutely aware of the problem in East Lancashire
"There are many initiatives and grants available to help firms rectify higher level skills shortages.
"The issue is actually about lack of awareness and low take-up of the help available."
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