However, Unite has hit out at the funding, claiming it represents short-term thinking that lacks strategy.

The Department for Business Innovation & Skills (BIS) announced yesterday that it would make £50m a year available to be match funded by businesses in a bid to boost skills.

According to BIS, the funding could provide new training, boost innovation and enable industries to set new professional standards.

It invites proposals from employer organisations, professional bodies and trade associations.

Proskills chief executive Terry Watts said that investment being offered had decreased compared to the Labour government's expensive Train to Gain scheme, but added that the government was calling on industry to help itself.

He said: "A little impact could make a big difference in our sector, but it is up to printers to make the most of this now. It is more targeted at employers, rather than a blanket funding covering all sectors, so as long as print responds it should be able to get a larger share than it already does."

Despite Proskills welcoming the funding, Unite has been less impressed by the government's move. It claims the funding is simply a knee-jerk reaction, which many companies will be unable to take advantage of.

Assistant general secretary Tony Burke said: "The problem is this government has no long-term strategy on skills, which is what we really need in manufacturing. We are facing skill shortages because of a ‘make do and mend’ attitude from some employers and the lack of awareness of the benefits of taking on apprentices and retraining the workforce.

"Companies will not invest in skills and take on apprentices because they don’t know what is round the corner. They are fearful of interest rate increases. The £50m per year has to be match funded by employers and we doubt whether some industries in manufacturing will show enough interest.

"What we really need is a long-term skills strategy, easily understood by industry, backed up by compulsory levies for those industries who fail to take on sufficient apprentices and invest in training."