SOUTHAMPTON City College is forg-ing ahead with closer links in the business community with the launch of a new training initiative.

Business Solutions is the brainchild of the college's enterprises department. Enterprise manager Fay Deakin said the initiative has been launched after close consultation with local businesses and their training needs.

"We have been looking at how we can link up with local businesses and provide the training and support they need,'' said Fay.

"After talking to businesses we have put together a programme of management and consultancy courses, in-house schemes and short courses."

The research revealed a need for management and sales packages - something which forms a large part of the new package.

Demand for improved management skills was highlighted in the research Fay said: "We want to provide what companies want in terms of their training and have evolved into a one-stop training solution provider and can even help companies offset the costs with funding.''

The closer links between the college and industry is set to boost training in the city and Fay said it was important for everyone to work together for the economic benefit of the region.

"So far the response we have had to the new package and the rebranding of the department has been brilliant but we will be closely monitoring what businesses want and reacting to their needs and demands.''

Converted for the new archive on 25 January 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.