The course will provide two streams of training, one geared towards technology and methodology and the other towards management and supervisory skills.

The course will be very flexible but will have a fixed structure around the regions, said Andrew Denny, YMP vice chairman and managing director of Fix-a-Form International.

The course, which is yet to be named, can be completed within a year or taken over three years.

Independent Paper is to provide some of the training and has agreed to sponsor an annual training award over the next three years. The winner will receive 500 and a trophy.