AN additional 350 people will be able to learn valuable skills needed in Worcestershire after two county colleges celebrated a joint achievement.

Centre of Vocational Excellence (CoVE) status has been awarded to Worcester College of Technology and North East Worcestershire (NEW) College.

The status is designed to improve access to a range of management and professional studies, including personnel, procurement, book-keeping and marketing law.

CoVE was established in response to the skills needs identified by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and Advantage West Midlands.

With a firm focus on the needs of the county's 19,000 employers, CoVE funding has allowed the development of the Bromsgrove Business School, due to open in September, and the development of an interactive learning centre in the St Wulstans building in Worcester.

Alan Curless, executive director of the local LSC, reiterated the importance of the programme.

He said: "Increasing employer engagements in training initiatives and recognising excellence in the provision of training through CoVE is a vital contribution to local skills and raising the county's economic competitiveness."