The body's remit will encompass the print, coatings, building products, extractives and glass industries training organisations.

"By joining together these five sectors... they will be stronger and more effective in their dealings with the Government," said chief executive Terry Watts.

The mandate was granted last Wednesday (6 July) and will come into force from the 1 August 2005, on which date the five industry operations, including the Print Education Training Forum (PETF), will transfer to ProSkills.

"It's wonderful news and something that everyone involved has worked very hard to achieve," said PETF interim chief executive Richard Bloxam.

Each of the five industry training bodies will have a "employer champion". The print group's representative on the ProSkills board will be Polestar human resources director Catherine Hearn.

By Darryl Danielli