MERSEYSIDE firms can now access a £4.8m fund to support training that is needed for their employees as a result of a restructure or investment.

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has provided the money to ensure that businesses have the necessary skills to survive the downturn and are prepared for future growth.

Up to £90,000 is available to companies for bespoke training needs dependent on the company contribution.

The money is designed both to stimulate and to address demand for workforce development among small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and large companies.

Helen France, area director at the LSC Greater Merseyside, believes the fund will help employers to quickly meet the training needs of their staff.

She said: “This programme will offer bespoke training that responds to the individual needs of employers.

“Our aim is to provide a rapid response to businesses on Merseyside ensuring that they are not only equipped for more difficult economic conditions but have the necessary skills base in place to capitalise on the upturn when it comes.”

The programme will provide a “rapid response fund” to support skills development in companies which are inward investing, undertaking significant expansion or downsizing and creating redundancies.

The support is available to companies of all sizes in Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral which have a “clear need” to up-skill employees.

The skills development will be targeted at companies and their supply chains, or will assist staff back into the labour market following the announcement of redundancies.

Funding has been made available through the LSC and European Social Fund to support companies which are restructuring their business as a result of current economic conditions.

The programme is being delivered by Liverpool-based training provider Sysco, and it will run until July, 2011.