The National Skills Academy network is to expand to include three new National Skills Academies for sport, creative and cultural and hospitality.

Skills minister David Lammy announced the introduction of the three skills academies. Their remit is to solve specific and acute skills shortages in these sectors.

The government plan to introduce a skills academy for each major sector by 2011.

Lammy said: "The National Skills Academy network will make a substantial contribution to the success of the UK economy.  By making a long-term investment in high quality training, tailored to specific sector needs, the employers involved in these partnerships will reap dividends in terms of enhanced productivity, creativity and competitiveness."