QUALITY employees are in short supply, according to small firms in the north west.

Owners of businesses say they are struggling to find the right staff and more than 75 per cent of the 18,500 bosses quizzed by the federation of small businesses (FSB) said attitude and character were far more important than academic qualifications.

"If a small company takes on the wrong person, it can have more of an impact than it would on a firm with hundreds of employees," said Paul Henly of the FSB, which now works with youngsters to ensure they get a clear understanding of small business.