Jane Davidson, Welsh Assembly minister for education and lifelong learning, wants to encourage firms to sit on the new Proskills Welsh National Group.

Proskills, which launched in England last November, is due to start in Scotland on 27 March and in Northern Ireland later this year.

Cranfield Colours Printing Ink in Cwmbran is taking part and managing director Michael Craine said: "The gene pool in our sector is rapidly drying up. We are broadly optimistic Proskills can cut bureaucracy.

"Our industry has been too far down the pecking order in training decisions. But with trade groups like the British Coatings Federation involved it should give us more say."

Financial director Rachel Volp said firms no longer had the "critical mass" to run in-depth training, and Proskills would improve quality and breadth.

Proskills also covers glass, building products and mineral processing sectors.