The
North East needs greater investment in workers’ basic skills and research and
development if the economy and employment in the region is to grow, claims the
TUC.
TUC
general secretary Brendan Barber said: "The North East is the lowest
investor in research and development in the country, and I am anxious to
explore how priority sectors there can attract higher public and private
investment in this area."
Barber
is meeting with employers in the region to discuss how the skills base can be
strengthened.
"Improving
skills is not just a buzz word. It is about better jobs and better business as
well as changing the lives of thousands of people.
"The
success of the maritime sector in the region is a fantastic example of how we
can regenerate the manufacturing sector by working together, which is such an
important part of the economy in the region."
