THE "skills gap" has been a thorny issue in the North-East for far too long.

Leading companies, such as Darlington-based Cummins, which makes engines which power the world, complain that they have to look outside the region to find employees with the right skills.

Up to now, the North-East has not done enough to fill that gap. If the region is to fulfil its potential, it has to provide the right kind of training for the jobs companies need to fill.

That is why we are supportive of plans for the North-East's first engineering centre of excellence, supported by the University of Sunderland, the region's new train-maker Hitachi Rail Europe, and car parts manufacturer Gestamp Tallent.

It was a disappointment when an initial bid for a university technical college (UTC) near the Hitachi site at Aycliffe, County Durham, was turned down by the Government at the start of the year, even though Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin, and Transport Minister Stephen Hammond had voiced their support.

The backers have to learn from past mistakes and ensure there is compelling evidence to illustrate sufficient demand for such a facility. There is no point building it, only to find there are no bottoms on seats when the doors open.

Yesterday, former Conservative Education Secretary Lord Kenneth Baker met 60 business leaders to urge them to back the UTC plan.

Companies have complained long and hard about their difficulties in finding the right skills in the North-East.

Now they have to back that up with solid support for a centre of excellence with the potential to make a real difference.