EDUCATION Minister Ivan Lewis has helped to launch a group aimed at improving the skills of the North-East workforce.

Skills North-East, the country's first regional skills partnership, brings together agencies including One North- East, the Learning and Skills Council, JobCentre Plus and the Small Business Service.

At the launch, at Newcastle Falcons' rugby ground, Mr Lewis met employees of businesses across the region whose staff have had extra learning and skills training.

They include electrical equipment manufacturer Electrolux, of Spennymoor, kitchen top maker Wilsonart, of Shildon, and Seaward Electronic, of Peterlee, all County Durham, and Huntsman Polyurethanes, of Wilton, Tees-side.

Chairman John Cuthbert, who is also managing director of Northumbria Water, said: "Skills North East will help meet skills needs of the region's employers and support individuals to develop skills relevant to both their needs and those of the region's economy.

"Our vision is for the North- East to be a region where employers, individuals, communities and government collectively invest in the develop- ment of skills and businesses to contribute to the delivery of sustainable economic success and social justice."