BUSINESS leaders from across Worcestershire and Herefordshire gathered at Worcestershire County Cricket Club for the launch of a National Apprenticeship Service covering the two counties.

The event, hosted by the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce, was addressed by Simon Waugh, chief executive of the National Apprenticeship Service and Ian Austin, government minister for the West Midlands.

Mr Waugh said in the current economic climate, apprenticeships offer the best of both worlds, giving employers access to a pool of talent that can be shaped to improve business performance and providing people with a great start to their chosen career. Mr Austin said: “Skills are at the very top of our agenda here in the West Midlands and for companies in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

“A skilled workforce is the essential foundation for the kind of dynamic, knowledge-led economy we need if the region is to compete when the upturn comes.

“It is now more important than ever to concentrate on up-skilling our workforce and training apprentices so we can prepare for the upturn.

“The region is seeing success rates for apprenticeships which are now the highest nationally; and in Train to Gain, where we are the best performing region, this shows that the government is producing real help to get the West Midlands through the downturn and strengthen the economy for the future.”