A BID to keep a pioneering centre which helps improve the skills of East Lancashire managers has been backed by a leading entrepreneur.

The NVQ centre run by ELTEC has helped dozens of bosses study for higher level national vocational qualifications. And at a 'graduation' ceremony held at Mytton Fold Hotel, guest speaker Ian Gordon said it was an excellent facility that should be kept when TECs are dismantled in 2001.

"Its services are making a substantial contribution to the economic health of East Lancashire," said Mr Gordon, who founded telecommunications training firm Wray Castle Limited. "Whatever ails other TECs this ceremony illustrates the very cream of what these organisations can achieve and ELTEC once again has led the way." At the ceremony more than 70 managers received level four and five NVQ awards.

ELTEC chief executive Mark Price told the successful candidates that he was committed to ensuring that such initiatives would not be halted when TECs came to an end.

"We are determined that the centre will survive and prosper well into the new millennium."

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