THE skills shortage in York and North Yorkshire could be eased if companies took on more disabled people, according to a York-based employer.

Carl Ventress, manager at Remploy, which employs more than 60 disabled people, said businesses were failing to harness the skills of the disabled, and this could jeopardise their competitiveness.

Mr Ventress said: "As an employer of disabled people we regularly receive positive feedback on the quality of the work our employees produce and the high level of customer service they provide.

"My advice to employers is to focus on the potential employees' ability and not their disability - they will be pleasantly surprised."

The Evening Press recently reported how more than a fifth of all job vacancies in York and North Yorkshire remained unfilled because of a lack of skilled applicants.

The research, carried out by the Learning and Skills Council in North Yorkshire, showed there was a skills gap in 21.3 per cent of vacancies.

The news came on the back of a separate survey, which predicted a looming skills shortage in the hi-tech sector.

The main area of skills shortage remained in the construction trade, such jobs as builders and plumbers.

Workers at Remploy carry out sewing, packing and light assembly work.

Disabled people find it three times as hard as non-disabled people to find a job and, according to research by Remploy, are often extremely committed and hard-working.

The Minister for Disabled People, Maria Eagle, said: "The disabled workforce in the UK includes many skilled and committed individuals.

"Employers who fail to consider disabled people as potential employees or service providers are not only misguided, but may also risk damaging their long-term competitiveness, as unemployment levels continue to fall and skilled and loyal staff are at a premium.

"I would encourage all UK employers to broaden their horizons and recognise the contribution that disabled people can offer to a business's success."

Updated: 12:03 Wednesday, February 18, 2004