business leaders are being urged to make a New Year resolution as they shut up shop for a well-earned Christmas break.

Basingstoke council wants a full house at The ARK conference centre on January 13 for a major event which will take forward its "Partnership for Success through Learning, Jobs and Skills" strategy.

And on Christmas Eve, Councillor Paul Harvey, the borough Cabinet member for employment, skills and learning, had a strong festive message for business people.

He said: "Make it your New Year resolution to be at the conference and be a partner in actioning a positive solution."

The conference has five themes, which have come about from a series of workshops staged earlier in the year and is designed to drive forward solutions to training, recruitment and staffing worries in the borough.

The themes are Recruitment and Retention in the Workplace, Social Inclusion, Essential Skills, Breaking Down Barriers to Education and Raising Aspirations and Creating a Graduate Culture.

Invitations are going out to 250 employers, training providers, community groups, headteachers and councillors for the conference, which starts at 3.30pm and will have breakout sessions to discuss the five topics with keynote speakers.

Beverley Flanagan, director of marketing and communications at Basingstoke College of Technology, said: "This is a pro-active approach to address employment and skills shortages - the grouse of so many companies. A strategy and action plan to move forward will come out of the conference."

She added: "It's vital for people to play their role. We have created a platform with the workshops and now this major conference.

"If everybody does not play their full role, this cannot move forward. We can't do it alone - the ball is in everyone's court.

"If people do not respond, there will be no space for moaning in five years' time. It is a chance to become partners with the council and shape the future prosperity of Basingstoke today. Why wait for tomorrow?"

Cllr Harvey said the conference was a major stage of delivering a positive local response to the Government White Paper, "21st Century Skills: Realising Our Potential".

The aim of the national skills strategy is to ensure employers have the right skills to support the success of their businesses, and individuals have the skills needed to be both employable and personally fulfilled.

The ARK conference is Basingstoke's response to national policy, and the goal of making sure the borough keeps scoring as a leading business centre for economic success - both for employers and employees.

Information on the conference is available from Hilary Inglis, lifelong learning officer, on 01256 845525 or e-mail h.inglis@basingstoke.gov.uk