STAFF at glass merchants and processors Pilkington are improving their skills with help from the North-East Chamber of Commerce.

Through its Sunderland Training Centre, 18 staff at Pilkington's Middlesbrough site are working towards an NVQ level two in glass processing.

The one-year course helps candidates to develop key skills, including manufacturing procedures, handling glass products, operating equipment, quality control and health and safety.

Works supervisor at Pilkington Glass, Darren Tate, is one of those to benefit from the course.

He said: "Although I have worked here for a few years, the course has been very beneficial.

"It has helped me to refresh my existing skills as well as gain valuable tips on best practice and health and safety issues."

He added: "It's a widely recognised qualification and I am looking forward to completing the course so I can get formal recognition for my skills."

Pilkington Glass, which has its headquarters in St Helens, Merseyside, specialises in the manufacture of insulated glass units and has branches in Middlesbrough and the Team Valley, Gateshead.

Training advisors from the chamber's Sunderland Training Centre continually assess employees throughout the course, enabling them to complete the training during normal working hours.

Pauline Palmer, manager of the centre, said: "The course works to help staff develop and improve their skills through a programme of training exercises and continual assessment.

"It is designed to meet the needs of individual candidates, from trainees to experienced employees."