SMALL and medium-sized businesses believe that a lack of skills is one of the main factors limiting recruitment.
A new survey shows that 48 per cent of North-west companies are not taking on staff because the workforce is not sufficiently skilled.
The research was conducted by financial and business advisers Grant Thornton International and economic forecasting consultancy Business Strategies Ltd.
Mr Howard Hackney at Grant Thornton's Liverpool office said: "Given that Labour has pledged to reduce unemployment by 250,000, it is important to know what currently stops North-west entrepreneurs from taking on more staff."
He went on: "One of their main concerns appears to be skills shortages.
"In the region, the problem lies with a lack of technical expertise and an inability to cope with new technology.
"Tackling these issues must be high on the list for the new Government."
Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article