TRAINING manuals aimed at improving the productivity skills of technicians are being put to the test at Connor Solutions.

Wayne Randall, 27, a maintenance engineer with the Houghton-le-Spring company, is helping to put his fellow professionals to the test by piloting the DTI-funded workbooks, developed by the Automotive Sector Strategic Alliance (Assa), to address a growing skills shortage.

The aim of the manuals is to encourage technicians to embark on further learning.

Assa turned to Connor for feedback on the workbooks before launching the programme regionally.

The company, which has 90 staff, is a specialist contract electronics manufacturer, providing high technology solutions to a range of telecommunications, computing, industrial, consumer and medical equipment customers.

Stephen Reed, quality and test manager for Connor, said: "As a growing company we see training of staff as key to developing the business.

"Our technical staff need to be aware of the latest tools and techniques to help in the monitoring and maintenance of new technology, and we see the Assa workbooks as a good introduction in enabling us to do this."

David Warden, from Assa, said: "Many of the technicians we are targeting with this course will not have undergone any formal training for many years and may not have considered the need for developing new skills."

For more information about Assa's technician productivity skills portfolio contact Mr Warden at Assa on 0191-417 7030.