MORE workers in the North-East are benefiting from employer-funded training than anywhere else in the country.

According to the latest statistics from Skills North East, the Regional Skills Partnership, 71 per cent of employers paid or arranged for members of their workforce to undergo training during 2005.

The figures, compiled for a review of the Skills Action Plan, show a ten per cent rise on 2004, and put the region five per cent ahead of its nearest rival, the East Midlands.

Liz Robson, senior skills and economic analyst at regional development agency One NorthEast, said: "We are all aware of the need to improve the skills of people in the North-East, so the fact that employers are themselves arranging and funding employee training is really positive.

"This is not only good for staff morale, but it makes business sense for them and puts the region in a stronger position to compete nationally and internationally."

Highlights of the review include:

* More than 36 per cent of workers undertook job-related training between October 2005 and September 2006. The figure is 5.1 per cent higher than the UK average;

* An improvement in the region's performance in retaining 16 and 17-year-olds in full time education;

* The region's employment rate increased from 2003 onwards, reducing the gap with the rest of the country;

* The North-East has a relatively high proportion of people with entry-level skills, compared with other regions;

* Since 2002, the North-East has seen a five per cent improvement in the proportion of working age adults with at least a level three qualification, and a three per cent point improvement with at least a level four qualification.

Increasing skills is a main priority of the Regional Economy Strategy, which identifies how the region can close the productivity gap with the rest of the UK.

Ms Robson said: "The strategy does highlight skills as being an area of importance for the region going forward, and these latest statistics suggest we're heading in the right direction.

"However, we know there is still more to be done to improve adult skills levels in the region, so we will continue to work with our partners to achieve this."

One NorthEast recently signed the Skills Pledge, a voluntary, public commitment by companies to develop basic skills and raise qualifications of all staff to at least level two.

It aims to raise employer awareness of the importance of skills in increasing output.