A NEW initiative designed to improve job skills in Ryedale has been unveiled after a report showed more than 60 per cent of residents in the district are earning under the national average.

The Improving Skills in Ryedale report, which was presented to councillors at Ryedale District Council yesterday, highlighted the problems but also included proposals to improve the situation.

The report warned that the significant numbers of people with low skilled and low paid jobs in the district has led to a major gap between the cost of housing and what people can afford.

The local economy in Ryedale has traditionally been agriculture, manufacturing and tourism based and, although some modernisation has taken place, the general low level of skills in the workforce has led to a downturn in wages.

The report notes that although schools in the district perform well, many young skilled workers leave the area when they reach adulthood, feeling that they need to leave the district in order to progress.

A skills survey carried out by the council found companies often lacked staff with industry specific technical skills, as well as more generic project management skills, customer service and sales and marketing ability.

In the report, Louise Lunn, business liaison manager for the council, said: "There are significant issues around low pay and the predominance of unskilled work in Ryedale.

"These clearly contribute to Ryedale having one of the worst housing affordability gaps in the north and to many local people commuting out of Ryedale for higher skilled and better-paid work."

In an attempt to improve the situation the council will work in partnership with the Ryedale Employment and Skills Partnership (RESP) to create a better economic infrastructure, town centre business property development and improve cultural and creative industry facilities.

The RESP have agreed to carry out a number of tasks, including improving links with the Higher Education sector, and addressing enterprise and knowledge deficits in Ryedale.

They will also a host an employer engagement event later this year for the age 14-19 group, bringing Ryedale businesses together to provide information about opportunities, suggested qualifications, and possible apprenticeships to young people.