The Northwest is the second-highest spending region in the country when it comes to investing in workforce skills, new figures have shown.

According to the Learning and Skills Council's (LSC) National Employer Skills Survey, the region spent £5.6 billion on training last year, with companies spending £1,950 per employee - 11 per cent more than the national average.

Only the southeast spent more on training in 2007, reports the Liverpool Daily Post.

John Korzeniewski, LSC Northwest regional director, told the paper: "These findings are extremely encouraging and I am delighted that the northwest's businesses are ahead of the field.

"Employers are clearly seeing training is helping to shape the future of their businesses and is the solution to their skills needs."

Earlier this month, British Energy, which owns two nuclear power stations in Lancashire, signed a £10 million skills contract with Flagship Training to deliver its apprentice programme.

Training will focus on technical engineering, safety standards and other skills.