DRAGONS' Den panelist and serial entrepreneur, Duncan Bannatyne is teaming up with The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to inspire business owners across York and North Yorkshire to get cracking' on their training plans.

Mr Bannatyne will deliver one of his inspirational presentations at a special breakfast briefing on October 18 at the Parsonage Country House Hotel in Escrick, near York.

The event is being held to mark the first anniversary of Train To Gain, the groundbreaking training service that is supported by funding from the Learning and Skills Council.

Businesses can register attendance at www.headsup-breakfast.co.uk Mr Bannatyne, who established a successful portfolio of health club and leisure businesses, will offer his experiences of skills development and the importance of workplace training over a special breakfast of boiled eggs and soldiers.

As well as being a networking opportunity for business people, the breakfast briefing will also include a presentation from John Sanderson of Yorkshire-based business, Stuart Aston Carpets, which has benefited from the Train to Gain Service.

Train to Gain provides free and independent advice and helps employers locate the training they need for their workforce.

Skills brokers work with employers to identify the skills needs of their employees and locate suitable training providers to deliver the training and qualifications.

Skills brokers also help the businesses secure funding for their training.

Mr Bannatyne said: "My businesses have been built on delivering health club members and customers a top quality service, which is wholly reliant on the quality and skills of our employees.

"I hope that employers in North Yorkshire take advantage of the Train to Gain Service so they can build their businesses for the future."

David Hodges, Regional Director of Skills for the LSC in Yorkshire and the Humber, said: "This event is designed to demonstrate the importance of training and the benefits it offers."