York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce has linked arms with Pure Business Solutions, the commercial division of York College, to provide the 600 Chamber members with a full programme of general and bespoke training.

A full range of courses, including management and professional training, IT, health and safety, learning and development, engineering and construction and food hygiene and safety will be delivered at York College.

Chamber members with specific training needs can expect a more tailored service at a venue to suit them.

Len Cruddas, chief executive of the York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said the new partnership would "enhance our comprehensive range of benefits and allow us to continue to serve the diverse needs of our businesses."

Mike Galloway, principal of York College, said: "If UK plc is to close the skills gap that exists with our major competitors, we will need to develop new and imaginative forms of partnership between the education and employer communities.

"Our collaboration is an excellent example of how this might be achieved and I hope that it will provide a model for partnership working elsewhere."

Updated: 08:49 Tuesday, September 30, 2003