INDUSTRY facing skill shortages could soon find that salvation is KUBE-shaped.

Kent and Medway Universities for Business Enterprise (KUBE) was launched on October 1 to help local firms meet skill needs.

Phil Davies, pro vice chancellor of the University of Kent, will chair a high-powered consortium of the Universities of Kent and Greenwich, Canterbury Christ Church University College and Kent Institute of Art and Design.

Professor Rick Trainor, vice chancellor of the University of Greenwich, said:" We aim to break down the barriers between higher education and enterprise.

"Already in Medway there is extensive collaboration between the educational establishments and business and this will be extended to the whole of Kent with this new organisation."

Professor Davies said KUBE was a great opportunity for industry and commerce to use the expertise of the county's higher education establishments.

"The University of Kent is leading the Kent New Technologies Institute (NTI) that involves further and higher education as well as business," he said.

A broadband network will link 11 new regional hi-tech computer and communications centres, including the proposed Medway Innovation Centre in Chatham Maritime, a centre that is tipped to become the county's next enterprise hub.

KUBE's activities will cover European Issues such as staff training, successful funding, and assistance in going digital to encourage cross border electronic commerce. Kent Institute of Art and Design, Rochester, is setting up a KUBE website.

Seminars are planned on a wide range of topics, including patents, European funding, innovation and effective company management.