SMALLER firms must invest in staff training to help their businesses grow.

Les Bury, of Blackburn accountants Kidsons Impey, said recent research had found many smaller and medium sized firms were struggling to attract the high calibre staff they needed.

"Many companies complain that graduates may possess theoretical knowledge but don't have the common sense or experience to apply it.

"Small businesses should act now to rectify this through training or they will pay for it in the future. Recent surveys show that 80 per of graduates leave smaller companies through lack of development."

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