THE negative impact of skills shortages within the recruitment industry has led a Worcester-based firm to set up an in-house training academy.

All seven of Thorn Baker's offices, including its HQ in Bransford Road, St John's, now have access to the scheme.

The academy was set up in response to a decline in the number of recruitment specialists within the region and an understanding of the fact that the ideal, ready-made candidate is increasingly hard to find.

It has already brought great benefits to the firm including increased retention of staff and improved performance in the market place.

Training takes place in several different stages so employees are continually being developed as they progress throughout the company. It is delivered by the firm's training and development manager, Penny Bolton.

"At Thorn Baker the emphasis has always been on home-grown talent. The on-going development we offer in the form of skills and individual coaching, as well as formal classroom training, is a major contributor to our success story," said Mrs Bolton.

"As part of our strategy for growth it has become increasingly difficult to buy in the necessary skills. We have therefore sought to develop our own in-house talent through the academy."