NORTH-EAST businesses have been urged to support skills workshops.

The Durham Business Skills Builder aims to help people to learn, develop and grow across sales, marketing, finance, human resources and leadership.

The programme will be delivered by experienced practitioners who own and manage companies.

Jessica Trotman, programme co-ordinator, said: “There is already a buzz building around it and we believe this is the first time such a comprehensive and flexible training programme has been developed.

“After speaking to businesses, we identified a gap for a full but flexible programme of training that very much puts business skills at its heart but is led by practitioners with years of experience, practical knowledge and ideas within their own areas of expertise.”

The programme has been set up by not-for-profit organisation Durham Business Group, which has been helping business owners and managers for more than 30 years.

The first programme will run between October and December, with 15 workshops focusing on sales and marketing.

That will be followed next year by sessions looking at business leadership and management.

Part funding for workshops is available from a range of sources, including the North East Business Support Fund, Growth Accelerator, Investment for Growth and the Rural Growth Network.