A £1.5m project is boosting the quality of information technology training in the region.

The ICT Networking Project was launched to ensure a skills pool was available to attract and retain businesses.

It was coordinated by six further education colleges in the Tyne and Wear area - Sunderland, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, South Tyneside and Tynemouth - known as the G6. Successful funding bids were made with the help of One NorthEast.

Bill King, deputy principal of Sunderland College, which led the project, said: "All businesses now depend on their IT infrastructures, so a high standard of network and computer training is vital if the region is to maintain and increase its competitiveness in the global marketplace. This funding will ensure that we can build and maintain the skills base to meet the needs of North-East companies."

Mike Collier, chief executive of One NorthEast, said: "Improving all areas of the North-East skills base is vital to the region's economic growth. ICT knowledge is especially important now that it forms a core element in all organisations, big or small."

All colleges in the G6 will be designated Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) A+ training providers, most with Cisco and Microsoft training accreditation.