HOSPITAL staff in Andover and Winchester can hone their talents for a top job, or boost basic skills, thanks to new training and development schemes on offer.

Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust has signed the Skills Pledge which guarantees at least NVQ level 2 qualifications - equivalent to five good GCSEs.

It has also launched the Leaders for the Future programme.

The trust is among the first ten per cent of NHS trusts to sign up to the Skills Pledge. This is a nationwide government initiative open to all types and sizes of businesses.

The pledge means unqualified staff can acquire basic literary and numeracy levels which helps both the organisation and the individual.

The Leaders for the Future programme aims to support and develop teams of leaders and managers to drive forward the changes needed for the trust's future success.

Anyone signing up to the programme, which covers a wide range of leadership skills, will be mentored by one of the executives who also take an active part in the tutoring.

Chief executive Martin Wakeley said: "I am personally sponsoring this programme as I believe the success of this trust will be built around skilled, knowledgeable and confident teams.

"At present I am specifically interested in the abilities of our leaders and managers across the organisation and at all levels.

"My own experience of personal development has shown me the importance of knowing yourself, knowing your business and knowing your teams.

"That is why this programme will focus on self development, business understanding and team work.

"I wish all participants good luck and I look forward to meeting them throughout the programme."