The PAC Programme is a new course set up by engineers with experience in lean process and manufacturing. It is being aimed specifically at smaller businesses and claims to have helped companies to increase their profitability by an average of £93,000 per year.

PAC's analysts visit businesses and assess their performance, before giving advice on techniques to improve productivity. Selected staff are encouraged to undertake a Business Improvement Techniques (BIT) NVQ.

Jonathan Ledger, strategic programme manager at Proskills, said: "Businesses can take advantage of what is effectively a government-supported investment for staff and business development.

"We also need businesses that want real and sustainable bottom line improvements to come forward and be a part of the PAC programme."

He added: "We are in discussions with a wide variety of employers who already have a potential of over 5,000 learners between them. The initial fee will certainly be returned many times over due to the results achieved.

"This programme is about equipping organisations to carry on with sustainable improvements after all the experts have walked out of the door, so this adds a long-term value."

Proskills was also keen to acknowledge Vision in Print's Premier Snapshot, a course now in its fourth year.

Richard Gray, director of Vision in Print, said: "We welcome the cross-industry support provided by the various councils. Our Premier Snapshot course has similar aims to PAC's course. It is very cost effective and would suit the majority of printers."

He added: "BIT NVQs will become more popular in the coming years as businesses see their value."

The PAC programme takes six to nine months with prices ranging from £3,000.