COUNCIL staff are being given the chance to take on their learning gremlins.

Bosses at North Yorkshire County Council said they recognise that everyone has gaps in their skills.

They said it could be because they had a break in their education or because they do not often use the skills they learnt years ago.

The executive member for lifelong learning, Councillor Jim Clarke, said: "We have made a commitment to ensure that employees working across all areas of the service will be able to access Skills for Life workshops to enable them to fill their skills gaps.

"This initiative will not only give staff the opportunity to brush up their existing skills, but will also give them the opportunity to achieve a level two certificate in literacy and/or numeracy.

"This is the equivalent to a GSCE in English and/or maths and is recognised by an increasing number of employers."

Council chairman John Dennis formally launched the initiative at County Hall in Northallerton, where staff were given the opportunity to take sample mini tests and to discuss their learning needs with tutors and co-ordinators.