Got skills? Bosses want to hear from you

Sir Alan Jones, managing director of Toyota UK and chairman of the Skills Council for Science, Engineering, Manufacturing and Technology, called for improvements in the way training and education was delivered to meet the demands of employers, in the wake of worries expressed by a Plymouth boss.

Dr Graham Stirling, managing director of the Barden Corporation and chairman of Plymouth Enginuity said: "We employ more than 13,000 people in engineering in Plymouth, making it one of the largest employment opportunities in the South West.

"Although many of our members undertake extensive training programmes with their employees, we still need more skilled people in the industry."