A STRATEGY has been devised to give the call centre industry a boost.

Regional development agency One NorthEast, working with other organisations, has drafted the framework of a strategy to address key issues, including recruitment and retention and reversing negative images associated with the industry.

The agency is interested in hearing from anyone interested in sitting on an advisory board to help take forward the Regional Call Centre Strategy.

More than 50,000 people work in about 150 call centres across the region and employment in call centres is forecast to grow by 14 per cent by 2007.

One NorthEast has set aside funding for the strategy and has held meetings with companies including Orange and AA Insurance to gauge interest in creating an advisory group.

Peter Shields, of One NorthEast, said: "We are confident that by working together, this strategy will be of huge benefit to the call centre industry, which has been calling out for a strategic lead due to its continuous growth.

"This is a proactive approach to provide direction and continued growth and we are asking for people's time, which I know is precious, but that time will ultimately lead to greater benefits."

One NorthEast is hoping to form an advisory group with eight members to lead the strategy, made up of people from industry and the public sector.

Terry Lawson, of One NorthEast, said the strategy would lead to improved profitability and competitiveness in the industry.

"Improving issues like retention will improve customer satisfaction and productivity," he said.

"An advisory board will allow those involved heavily in the industry to discuss vital issues and come together to discuss best practice. The strategy will pull all of the threads together to reach a common approach to address this important subject."