A recruitment agency has launched its own recruitment drive after identifying a skills shortage across the region.

Rotherwood Recruitment has also invested £20,000 in a state-of-the art software package which streamlines the process of placing people in the jobs that do become available.

Alf Atherton, business development manager for the Keighley-based firm, said: "It has become apparent that there is a skills shortage in the area and we urgently need people to fill immediate vacancies in the commercial, industrial and driver hire sectors."

On the industrial front, Rotherwood says there are opportunities for unskilled, semi-skilled and fully-skilled personnel - from cleaners, production, warehouse and distribution operatives to engineers and production managers.

In the commercial sector, there is a call for general administration, customer service, call centre and telesales staff, as well as receptionists, secretaries and all accounts-related personnel.

In addition, the company's driver hire division has permanent positions available for drivers on local, regional, national and European deliveries.

Mr Atherton added: "We have an increasing number of companies on our books from across West Yorkshire and Craven who need both temporary and permanent workers for a wide variety of jobs.

"Importantly, many of the temporary placements could well lead to permanent jobs."

Rotherwood's new software package can quickly match the skills of people registered with the agency with the needs of regional firms.

Mr Atherton explained: "We can get in touch with up to 100 of our people simultaneously at the touch of a button and ask them to contact us if they are available.

"For companies that have an immediate need for personnel this is a major advantage and we can usually meet their requirements within the hour.

"The system allows us to cater for local employers far more effectively. It contains full details of registered applicants and has in-built search and mail merging facilities to further streamline the jobs matching process.

"It can also produce detailed reports for companies at the touch of a button."

Rotherwood, which is a member of the Recruitment and Employment Federation and has been based in Keighley for the past 26 years, opened a second office in Colne 18 months ago in response to increasing demand from companies in East Lancashire.

Mr Atherton added: "Demand from our clients gives a clear indication that the regional jobs market continues to be buoyant, which reflects positively on the local economy.

"However, a skills shortage exists and it is a situation we are attempting to redress at the earliest opportunity."