IT boss Mark Hall, who has two jobs going begging at his Ilkley website marketing agency has bemoaned a lack of local talent after failing to attract a single job applicant in more than three months of trying.

Mr Hall is looking to expand the team at the ImproveAgency.co.uk, based on Brook Street, to five to help the business expand and take on more clients.

But he remains frustrated after an online advertising campaign, word-of-mouth contacts and other promotional activity all failed to generate interest.

Mr Hall wants to take on a search engine optimisation executive along with a trainee, ideally with at least six months of web experience or a strong interest in technology.

He said: “We’re part of one of the largest growth industries in the country, yet there appears to be nobody in Ilkley or close by willing to join us. We’re looking for both experienced and trainee online marketing staff, so we’d welcome any school-leaver with an interest in working in online marketing with open arms.

“But the lack of response leads us to ask the question are schools teaching the right subjects?

“It’s got to start in the schools. There are brilliant vocational IT courses out there that give students skills in online business, but there appears to be a real shortage of qualified school-leavers round here. If there’s anyone out there who wants to be part of this amazing new world, speak to me.”

Improve Agency works with companies locally and across the UK and Europe to improve their presence on the web and boost sales.

Mr Hall, who launched the business three years ago, has also challenged Ilkley businesses to become more ‘web savvy’. He believes Ilkley and the surrounding area is lagging far behind other towns and cities in using the internet for commercial advantage.

He said: “My research showed that about 80 per cent of local businesses have no web presence at all, which means that they’re missing out on millions of pounds in sales.”

This was at a time when recent Government figures showed about one in ten of all sales were now online, and expected to rise to a quarter within the next three years, in a UK digital sector valued at more than £120 billion.

“With customers increasingly shopping online and companies looking online to do business, it’s time for Ilkley to wake up and grab this opportunity. Word of mouth no longer drives sales,” said Mr Hall.