A MAN who has been committed to training and development for more than 40 years has been made a North-East Skills Ambassador.

Gordon Bennett has continually sought to better himself throughout his career, and through his role as training and development manager at construction specialist Esh Group, the 69-year-old has helped hundreds of people with their training.

Now, Mr Bennett has been made a regional ambassador by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to help promote the value of skills across the North-East.

A qualified assessor and instructor in joinery, shop fitting, building construction, and fencing, Mr Bennett said: "My message about training is that you need to be tomorrow’s person because the methodology of what you are doing is changing all the time.

"People, therefore, have to be prepared to update or even change their skill base to continue to be employable. If people stayed with the skills I first learnt we would still be building the Ark.

"From an employer’s point of view, it is vital to have a wellequipped workforce, not just with the latest high-tech machinery, but with the latest knowledge and skills if you want to remain at the leading edge in today’s competitive global market places."