AN ADVISORY board is being set up by a Basingstoke college to ensure its students have the skills needed for the world of work.

Anthony Bravo, principal at Basingstoke College of Technology, is inviting local employers to join the board with the aim of holding two or three meetings a year, involving the Local Enterprise Partnership, local authority and Chamber of Commerce.

The partnership will ensure the college, in Worting Road, is preparing students with the highest levels of employability skills.

Each year, around 1,000 students leave BCoT for employment, with most joining local companies.

Mr Bravo said: "The Employer Advisory Board is a fantastic opportunity for employers/businesses to have their say in how the Government fund the skills agenda in our region. The meetings, chaired by the Local Enterprise Partnership, will look at how the college can support business needs. There will be an overview on degree apprenticeships (Winchester University) and proposals for a work based higher education centre in Basingstoke."

The first meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 10 at 2pm at BCoT when topics of interest will be agreed.

Those wishing to attend should contact Debbie Brace on 01256 306202.