More than 100,000 adults in Sussex have a reading age of 11 or under, providing plenty of scope for the training industry.

In charge of the county's post-16 learning outside higher education is the Sussex Learning and Skills Council (SLSC), headed by chairman Norman Boyland and executive director Henry Ball.

Mr Boyland and Mr Ball are principal judges in the Learning Pays! award, a new category in this year's Sussex Business Awards.

The Government-funded SLSC aims to support the growth of the Sussex economy by ensuring the community skills base is matched to the needs of employers and highquality learning opportunities are available to everyone.

Director of operations David Smith said: "Half the young people who leave school every year do so without the basic qualification they need to go on to further education but that should not be an end to their learning. We are charged with aiding and developing more skilled people who can then go on to produce better businesses.

"The award is open to any employer who demonstrates a commitment to training, whether internal or through outside providers.

"The judges will be looking for employers that show a commitment to develop a betterequipped workforce, aware of a company's needs and the opportunities available to them.

"There are a number of ways this can be easily demonstrated, including Investor in People."

The SLSC has a £15.2 million budget to invest in work-based learning, funds to training organisations, colleges and employers for modern apprenticeships and similar schemes.

It has a further £1.4 million to invest in workforce development and encourage employers to take up Investor in People.