A WIDE-RANGING Government blueprint aiming to tackle the skills gap in the North has been launched.

Free learning for every adult, a further education support grant and an expansion of Modern Apprenticeships are among the measures being proposed.

Thousands of people in the region stand to get free training under the proposal in the White Paper, whereby anyone without an NVQ Level Two or the equivalent will have training up to that level paid for by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES).

About 400,000 adults in the North are said to have reading, writing and basic mathematical skills below the level necessary to cope at work and in other situations.

According to the DfES, six per cent of employers currently report skills shortages.

Proposals to combat the problems include free learning for every adult to achieve at least five GCSEs or a similar vocational qualification, a £30 weekly grant for adult learners, and lifting the age cap for Modern Apprenticeships so people aged over 25 can learn skilled trades.

Brian Ham, strategy director at development agency One NorthEast, said: "We see this strategy as providing a very helpful framework.

"We are making big strides in developing the regional economy, and we need to make sure that we are adequately skilled as a region to realise our full potential in the future."

The agency will be working closely with the Government, Trades Union Congress, Small Business Council and others to deliver the proposals.