Training providers offering courses in food and drink manufacturing could boost their businesses by joining forces on a region-by-region basis to deliver dedicated services to local employers, according to a new report.

Research by The National Skills Academy (NSA) for Food and Drink Manufacturing in the north-east of England found that many food and drink companies consider the provision of training 'patchy', difficult to access and lacking in innovation creating a gap in the market for private-sector training providers.

Justine Fosh, director of the NSA for Food and Drink Manufacturing, said: "There is huge potential for providers if they can get their offer right. We surveyed nearly half of the 450 food and drink companies in the north-east, and time and time again found major skills shortages in areas such as business management, supply chain management and sales and marketing.

"But across the whole region, there is only one course available for sales and marketing in food manufacture, just three in logistics management, and only six covering business management."