ALMOST 1,000 employees in Lancashire have benefited from a £5.6m workforce training programme in just a month.

The scheme aims to support 3,817 employees aged 19 plus in small and medium-sized businesses.

Lancashire Skills Support for the Workforce has seen 195 firms receive a free analysis and 868 people start training since its launch.

One business benefiting is Burnley-based Smith Jones Solicitors, which has put 12 staff through customer service training.

The project is delivered by the county council with support from 14 education and training providers in the county including Accrington and Rossendale College, Blackburn College, and Burnley College.

Ann-Marie Bradley, HR manager at Smith Jones Solicitors, said: “We are already reaping the rewards of this training.

Chair of the Lancashire Skills Board Owen McLaughlin said: “The reaction we’ve had so far has been overwhelmingly positive.”