Minister for Yorkshire and Humber, Rosie Winterton, who has signed up a number of business people to be ambassadors in promoting the importance of skills to their peers, invited Skills Secretary John Denham to meet some of them in Leeds and to hear what support they need in order to carry out their commitment.

She said: "With the challenging economic times we are experiencing at the moment, it would be easy for employers to decide not to invest in training or in improving the skills of their workforces. This would be misguided.

"I do not believe that to be a sustainable option for either businesses or for the future prosperity of this region. That is why improving skills is one of my key priorities as regional minister."

Mark Andrews, chief executive of Ilkley-based building group NG Bailey and chairman of the Regional Skills Partnership, said: "Research is clear that the businesses that continue training now are most likely to be the survivors and winners over the next few years.

"We are delighted the government is being imaginative in how to make this affordable for businesses and were receptive to our ideas."

Mr Denham added: "We know that employers that don't train their staff are far more likely to fail, whereas those that invest in developing the talents of their employees are much better placed to weather tough times.

I would encourage every employer in the region to take advantage of the Train to Gain service, which provides free advice and brokera ge to help firms stay competitive."

Nearly 30 directors have signed up to become ambassadors, though some will focus more on promoting the region overseas.


Leeds-based Jennings Roofing has announced an expansion into the north west just 12 months after its acquisition by £50m turnover AIM-listed building services group Northern Bear.

The opening of Jennings Roofing Manchester, a sister business to the £10m turnover roofing business based in Leeds, brings the total number of operating businesses within the Northern Bear group to 13.