BOSSES across the Manchester area have been urged to increase skill levels to boost competitiveness.

Chairman of Greater Manchester's Learning and Skills Council Anthony Goldstone issued a rallying call to the region's employers at the Manchester Skills Conference 2001.

''A lot of companies do not realise the key to their success is making up the skills gaps. It is a priority that we have got to get business better equipped to deal with the outside world,'' he said.

The conference at Manchester Airport's Hilton Hotel in conjunction with Chamber Business Enterprises follows a disastrous performance by the north west in recent research into skills levels.

The North West Development Agency found the proportion of the working population with little or no skills was significantly higher in the region than anywhere else in the UK.

According to Mr Goldstone, part of the problem is a shift in the region's industrial focus.

''As we lose part of our manufacturing business we have to make certain people are being trained for the jobs which are available here. We are keen to show that not only are we able to have the knowledge and skills to compete with the rest of the UK but to compete with the rest of the world.''

He agreed with concerns voiced by many employers recently that there is a need for more vocational training in pre-16 education.

''We have to make sure that people coming into business have the right skills.

''It is important that we look to people who maybe are not interested in going to university but want to take up a job and have vocational skills.

''Eventually it is important that we do have this relationship between businesses and schools when the kids are 14,'' he said.

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