AN INITIATIVE aimed at improving skills has been launched in Salisbury.

Retailers were invited last month to a lunch paid for by the Employer Training Pilot to hear about Free2Learn, which provides free training for employees of national and independent companies.

The scheme also reimburses retailers for the hours lost while training is taking place, so employers lose nothing by taking part.

The lunch was organised by Salisbury City Centre Management and Salisbury Chamber of Commerce.

Alan Taylor, project manager for the programme, said: "I am very excited about the concept of Free2Learn and fully committed to making it a huge success.

"It is an incredible offer for retailers who will only benefit from the scheme.

"They get free training for staff and money back for the time their workforce is unproductive.

"From the employees' point of view it will be a chance to gain new skills which will not only be invaluable in their current jobs, but should also benefit them in any future moves they may make."