According to the BPIF it was "foolish" not to work together given their shared interests.

The partnership will allow the BCF to tap into hundreds of thousands of pounds from the Department for Education and Skills via the National Learning and Skills Council.

"Funding depends on how many apprentices we recruit," said Carol Walsh, training and development manager for BCF.

"But 30 fresh faces a year in the coatings sector would generate 10,000 each, notching up 300,000 of funding for the industry."

She said the two groups would make a strong lobbying force for cash from European social funding.

BPIF chief executive Michael Johnson and head of commercial training Ruth Exelby broke the news last week at an awards event for coatings' trainees.

"Both organisations hope to share best practice, open up new markets and share materials and information," said Exelby.

"We can achieve economies of scale for accessing funds and look at wider objectives. We are in government talks to set up our own sector skills council to represent both our industries."

Story by Jez Abbott