CALLS have been made for an overhaul of York's training programmes to address the skills shortages among York's workforce.

City of York Council Labour group leader Dave Merrett, and trade union leader John Kirk, want to improve the education of aspiring workers.

Council leader Steve Galloway said action was already being taken to address the problems.

They were speaking after the new report showed a major skills gap in York's workforce.

The document showed more than half of unemployed people liaising with employment, training and advice centre Future Prospects identify a lack of skills as a barrier to progress.

The report stated 24,600 of York's 16 to 60-year-olds have literacy problems and 25,000 have numeracy problems.

Mr Kirk said: "Manufacturing in York has taken a hammering over the past eight years, but I do recognise that it is right that a lot of those jobs have been replaced by small units, one or two-man bands coming into York.

"But it is the overall value of those jobs which have been lost - it is easy to lose, say, 10,000 jobs at £30,000 each to be replaced by 20,000 at £10,000 a year, and the skill levels that the new employers are looking for are not the skills that our people have.

"I think our education system does need overhauling to give people greater opportunities to learn skills."

Coun Merrett called for multi-agency co-operation to address the skills gaps.

He said: "A survey in York in 2005, found that the employers most commonly reported poor customer handling and team working skills in terms of their staff's skills deficiencies.

"Schemes run by the York Lifelong Learning Partnership have continued to ensure York people get the proper training. The Labour Government's recent Leitch Review should also provide new impetus in this area.

"I am looking forward to the recommendations on the York economy of the Future York group in spring 2007, which will add to this work."

Coun Galloway said the council had already recognised the need to refine and update skill levels and workforce flexibility in the city.

He said: "We now have four new primary schools in the city which have been opened since the Liberal Democrats took control of the council. Three secondary schools are also to be rebuilt with work starting later this year.

"Although not directly a council initiative, we will have the advantage of a brand new York College which will open in September.

"Taken with the two universities in the city, for our size, we will have educational facilities that will be the envy of the rest of the country. For over 1,900 years, York has been an attractive place to live and do business.

"We will do whatever is necessary to secure our continuing prosperity."