STAFF at regional bus operator Go North-East are celebrating winning the national Investors in People (IIP) standard.

The company gained the recognition for its Gateshead head office and support functions, including training and engineering departments as well as its travel centres across the region.

Go North-East employs 2,100 staff across six divisions.

IIP proves that a company has made a real commitment to investing in its staff development. It matches training against business objectives to make organisations more customer focused, efficient and competitive.

To achieve the status, staff were interviewed and assessed to identify issues and skill requirements.

An action plan was then devised, introducing procedures to help boost skills and job satisfaction levels. In the past year, Go North-East has invested more than £500,000 in a training and recruitment drive.

Martin Harris, commercial director at the company, said: "We are delighted that our commitment to staff development has been recognised through gaining this prestigious award."

l Go North-East services include GoCoastline, GoGates- head, GoNorthern, GoWearBuses and GoXpress