A £3 million project to encourage people to learn new skills has been launched.

The Sussex Lifelong Learning Network (SLLN) is being led by the University of Brighton and has the backing of educational and business groups.

Its purpose is to close the gap, which business leaders insist is growing, between the skills employers want and those workers have to offer.

One way of doing this will be to encourage people who have fallen out of the education system without qualifications to get back into the learning process.

Developing existing links between businesses and neighbouring colleges and universities will be key to the success or failure of the government-funded project.

Colin Monk, pro-vice chancellor at the University of Brighton, said: "The Sussex Lifelong Learning Network will be the glue that brings everything together.

"Our first task will be a major mapping exercise of the entire region to find out what is being offered where and to plug the gaps.

"It's no good encouraging a lad in Hastings to do his NVQ Level 1 if he can only do Level 2 in Chichester - there has to be some cohesion."

One of the SLLN's main jobs will be to create more courses and show people more clearly how completing them will advance their careers.

Professor Sir David Watson, vice-chancellor of the University of Brighton, said the challenges of lifelong learning were "substantial".

Chris Thomson, principal of Brighton Hove and Sussex Sixth Form College, added: "I was most encouraged by the support given to the Sussex proposal and the confidence in our ability to deliver an ambitious set of targets."

The University of Brighton's partners in the venture include the county's universities and FE colleges, education authorities, Sussex Learning and Skills Council, Sussex Learning partnerships, and business group Sussex Enterprise.

The project will last for three years.