Bradford firms are being encouraged to apply for European funding to improve the skills of their workforce.

The first European Social Fund Objective Four Programme for the UK will provide £160 million for projects which help adapt workers to industrial change.

Firms with fewer than 250 employees are eligible to apply for the funds which will be used to give workers the right skills for the needs of new jobs being created, to broaden key skills within the workforce or train those lacking basic skills.

Small firms are targeted because statistically they show the lowest amount of training investment. But employees in larger firms can benefit from funding under Objective Four provided that the bid is drawn up in partnership with small and medium-sized enterprises.

Target groups within the workforce in the Yorkshire and Humber region are:

l people with low or no qualifications or who have received a limited amount of training.

l manual workers.

l managers where improved skills in managing change and people will assist company adaptation.

l clerical and secretarial workers in jobs where information and communication technology developments have an impact on working practices.

Greg Dyche, strategy and Europe director for the Government office for Yorkshire and the Humber, said: "Adapting to change is the key to success in the modern knowledge-driven economy. With this funding, companies can ensure their workforce has the right skills.''

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