Grants of up to £20,000 are being offered to training providers in a bid to boost business in Essex.

The Essex Employment and Skills Board (ESB) has launched a Tutor Golden Hello and Training Grant Scheme to ensure employees at local businesses have access to the skills and qualifications needed to succeed.

The aim is to help businesses grow and improve the skills of their employees in developing sectors including advanced manufacturing and engineer, IT and digital, logistics and construction.

The programme aims to continue the approach taken by the ESB through its existing Digital Skills for Growth funding and Education and Industry STEM Programme.

Eligible Essex based-training providers can apply for up to £20,000 (£5,000 per tutor) of Golden Hello Grants (to help attract new staff) and/or Training Grants (to upskill existing staff).

ESB chair Suzanne Jude, of Raytheon, said: “As a board we have been making excellent progress in tackling the skills challenges which we are collectively experiencing.

“This innovative local programme will enable us to go further, by helping training providers in Essex to overcome one of the barriers they face in delivering the skills required by local employers.”

Kevin Bentley, deputy leader of Essex County Council and cabinet member for economic growth, waste and recycling, added: “The programme has a target to upskill or recruit 30 tutors by April 2016.

“Investing in improving the quality and knowledge of teaching staff will have a long-lasting impact and help create a large pool of highly-skilled new entrants entering Essex’s growth sectors.”

Training providers can find out more about the programme as well as obtain application forms from the ESB’s website at esb.essexpartnership.org or by emailing essexemployment.skillsboard@essex.gov.uk.