THIS time of year creates a real hub of activity in our schools, colleges and universities where the sales pitch to attract their next year’s intake of pupils and students begins in earnest.

We have some great learning institutions in our region, such as Middlesbrough College and Teesside University, and I am delighted the Tees Valley devolution deal has given control of the adult education and skills budget back to local people.

This is a key part of the agreement and will play a major part in its success, I’m sure.

An important part of Tees Valley’s skills provision was examined in the recent Tees Area Review of Colleges.

There were some tough decisions but it has been generally accepted the proposed changes will make the colleges more sustainable in the future.

The timing of this shift in responsibility is also opportune with the changes in the pipeline, such as the apprenticeship levy.

This new way of companies paying for apprentices still lacks fine detail so we are campaigning hard to have clarity as soon as possible.

Our businesses need to plan for this levy and work out how to get the best from their own apprenticeship funding pot.

This devolution deal also provides this area with the very real opportunity to start tackling its own local issues by providing local solutions, without reference to Whitehall.

These new plans could include measures such as shorter, more tailored courses servicing specific employers’ needs.

This will in turn lead to a better provision of any future business demands.

We will be able to forecast skills requirements for five years time, for example, rather than always playing catch up.

The catch up approach is of no use to a company developing a skilled workforce and worried about where their future team will come from.

Crucially, this change is also likely to lead to better careers provision in schools and colleges.

We have long campaigned for closer links between business and education through our working North-East strategy and it is of great benefit to both parties.

Through closer working, companies get the right students for their businesses and in turn students and pupils have a greater understanding of what careers are in the real world.

I appreciate nothing is settled yet but I urge the business community to get engaged with this process to ensure funding is spent in the best way possible.

James Ramsbotham is chief executive at the North East England Chamber of Commerce