A service which aims to put people at the heart of Swindon's 5,000-strong small business community is to be launched by Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire in June.

The Workforce Development Advisory Service (WDAS) is a new initiative designed to help small and medium-sized firms (SMEs) analyse their business issues and identify those staff who can best help solve them.

It is claimed the new service will help businesses improve performance and productivity and tackle recruitment and retention issues.

Business Link is employing three additional human resources (HR) business advisers bringing the total to 13 to ensure the service is widely available.

A number of initiatives and support packages will include a free business diagnostic session with Business Link's HR advisers to help identify key actions and suitable training providers.

The service will also enable local SMEs to access a full range of training and development programmes, ranging from individual job-specific skills training through to management competence, project and process management and customer service skills.

In addition, the WDAS will also integrate a wide range of other development services including the IAG (information, advice and guidance) service, management development packages, a specialist Small Firms Initiative for businesses of 5-49 people and Modern Apprenticeships programmes for young people.

Helena Allen, recently appointed as Workforce's Development Manager, said: "Swindon-based companies should be asking themselves if their staff are ready, willing and able to do the job at hand.

"I know that SMEs are incredibly busy places, so the Workforce Development Advisory Service is designed to make it simple and practical for them to achieve their people-development needs."

The WDAS is funded by the Learning and Skills Council and implemented through Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire.

For further information, call 0845 600 41 41.