EMPLOYERS in Worcestershire can now benefit from a new guide on how to run their firms.

The Learning and Skills Council Herefordshire and Worcestershire yesterday published Skills: Transforming Business, in partnership with the employers' organisation, the Institute of Directors.

The guide is being seen as an authoritative tool to help company directors in Worcestershire manage and improve skills to meet the challenges of leadership, development and growth within their businesses.

Copies of the publication containing advice for directors including how to audit skills, can be downloaded from www.lsc.gov.uk and www.iod.com

. It contains useful advice for company directors, such as how to carry out a skills audit, and attract new talent. It also shows owner managers how to access funding and training support available to them from the Government.

"According to the 2003 National Employers Skills Survey, more than 40 per cent of businesses had provided no training for their staff in the previous 12 months, despite the widely documented link between employee skill levels and profitability," said Alan Curless, executive director at the local LSC.

"There are more than 18,000 businesses in Worcestershire. This guide demonstrates our commitment to working closely with them to understand their needs and provide the information and assistance that will make a difference."

Copies of 'Skills: Developing and implementing a training strategy for the future' can be downloaded from www.lsc.gov.uk and www.iod.com.