It's not just about creating a workforce with the skills that enable local businesses to expand and meet the needs of inward investors.

It's also about creating the sort of jobs that will help the city to retain more of the graduates emerging from its two universities and give them the opportunity to develop their careers.

"Clearly, there is a lot of work to be done," says Creative Sheffield's HR Business Consultant, Jane Crossan-Hird, a major part of whose job involves helping companies find people with the skills they need.

However, she has been encouraged by the increased focus on 14 to 16 year olds and apprentices.

"Everyone is pulling together and there is much more of a business focus. People are looking at how to meet the needs of business.

"It is encouraging to hear the things people are saying about apprentices," she continues.

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"A lot more investment is being brought forward and targeted activity by key agencies, such as the Learning and Skills Council and Yorkshire Forward."

Creative Sheffield is also keen to encourage the research activities and spin outs from academia that provide jobs at the top of the skills and knowledge range to retain graduate and post graduate expertise in the city. "Sheffield has got some quite interesting research activities and spin outs, but it doesn't have the critical mass," says Creative Sheffield's business investment director, David Fletcher.

"When you have a business which employs five or six people, it is very easy to move."

That said, the city has been building up its ability to provide the specialist support needed by companies from the creative and digital and research led business sectors.

"We do have a lot of key people here; a lot of expertise," says investment manager Ann Allen."There are some leading people here and we need to promote their key specialisms and their uniqueness."

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