COLLEGES across Worcestershire are showing businesses the services they can provide to help develop employees.

The ''Education Means Business'' event runs all this week until Friday, November 22.

It is aimed at company managers involved with staff training and development, including managing directors, human resources managers and training managers.

As well as training issues, the week of free events looks at the growing impact legislation is having on running a business.

The week is being funded by the Learning and Skills Council and the Higher Education Funding Council.

It has been organised by Roger Band, chairman of Worcestershire Colleges Consortium.

"We have chosen subjects we believe, from research, are close to the hearts of employers," said Mr Band.

"The workshops would be particularly useful for small to medium-sized enterprises."

Events programme:

Wednesday, November 20:

- Worcester College of Technology (Worcester Management Centre, CrownGate), 12noon-2pm - Plan to Achieve your Business Growth Targets, Improve Bottom Line Profits by at Least 5 per cent, Gain a Confident, Motivated and More Productive Workforce and Achieve a Focused Sales Team.

- Kidderminster College (ISTC Centre, Kidderminster town centre), 1pm-4pm - Recruit the Right Staff, Maternity Pay and Maternity Leave, managing Sickness Absence and Build Your Own Website.

Thursday, November 21:

- Evesham and Malvern Hills College (Evesham Campus), 10am-1pm - Are You Breaking Employment Laws? And How Can You Pay Less Tax?

- University College, Worcester, 12noon-3.30pm - Enterprising Tactics to Stimulate Business Growth, Cashflow Crisis and Funding for Growth - Are They Compatible?, Business Strategy for Owner/Managers.

Friday, November 22:

- Worcester Sixth Form College, 7.30am-3pm - One-to-One Drop-in Session to Discuss Training and Training Needs, Lunch and Language Session in Japanese.