NORTH-EAST businesses are being made aware of a project which offers free, impartial support to help them grow and develop their workforce. The aim of the North East Ambition programme is to ensure local businesses understand all skills initiatives and funding opportunities available to enable them to fill any current and future skills gaps in the region. It is being delivered by Education Development Trust, in partnership with the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (NELEP), and is part funded by the European Social Fund. The initiative is open to small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) with fewer than 250 full-time employees and based in the North-East.