THE skills shortage in qualified employment appeared to have claimed another business in the Southern Grampians Shire with Free Spirit Childcare in Dunkeld informing the families using their services they could not keep their doors open.

An email sent out a few days ago said with two staff leaving, a Department of Education requirement that at least 50 per cent of their staff be diploma trained could not be met, despite “months of searching and following up”, and the centre’s last day would be on Friday, February 10.