Business leaders have been urged to play their part in building up the skills of the Sussex workforce.

At the the Better People, Better Business exhibition at Copthorne, near Gatwick, Henry Ball, executive director the Sussex Learning and Skills Council, told employers: "We want to engage with you, both directly and through Sussex Enterprise, our lead partner on economic demand, to build a workforce development strategy that provides you with staff who have the skills businesses need and is genuinely demandled."

The skills council released summary findings of a skills demand/supply survey, focusing on 12 key sectors in the county: creative industries, construction, health and social care, the public sector, hospitality and tourism, engineering, business and financial services, pharmaceuticals, air travel and transport, new media, sports and recreation and retail.

Employers were urged to provide feedback on their own industry sector reports and get more actively involved in developing strategies to build the skills needed.