THE pioneers of a scheme to improve job skills in East Lancashire have been singled out for praise.

The first 200 employers to take part in the Modern Apprenticeship scheme to improve skills in the area were presented with framed certificates.

"You are the employers with foresight to realise that recruiting and training young people to NVQ level is vitally important," ELTEC chairman Bill Davies said at the official launch of the scheme.

"We must equip East Lancashire with a skilled and committed workforce." The apprenticeship scheme, part of ELTEC's XTEND programme of youth training opportunities, offer school leavers employment and training to at least Level 3 NVQ.

The scheme currently covers 23 areas such as engineering, information technology and business administration and a further seven will come on stream early next year.

Tony Cann, vice chairman of ELTEC, said skills were the "engine of competitiveness".

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