HAVING the skills to fill the thousands of job places coming on to the market when projects like Omega are completed are crucial says the Minister for Skills and Adult Learning Matthew Hancock.

He was in the borough to speak to business leaders about the importance of apprenticeships and linking skills to job needs on Friday.

And he was keen to highlight the importance of businesses and education working together through programmes like the newly established Skills Council in the town to get the right balance between skills and jobs.

Mr Hancock said: “Big infrastructure projects are important but you can’t make use of them without skilled people.

“We have been talking about the value of apprenticeships and what more we can do to make apprenticeship training closer to what businesses need.

“In Britain we have almost one million young unemployed people and at the same time we have skills shortages and businesses looking for staff and we need to make sure that people have got the skills they need to get a job and hold down a job.

“We need to make sure people can reach their full potential.

“David has been doing a brilliant job of sorting skills development locally and through his jobs club bringing together employers with people who are looking for a career.”

The minister also praised the work of the club for helping people use their skills to set up new companies too.

“Last year there were more businesses created than any other year on record,” he added. “The start up loan scheme which allows Warrington people to get a loan to start up a business has been extremely successful and the skills that people have is not just about working for someone else but also about creating work for others too.

“We have to support what happens in Warrington and learn about Warrington’s needs and take it back to Parliament.”