Toyota staff to train for an NVQ

The car manufacturer has become the latest UK firm to commit to developing the skills of employees at its manufacturing plants.

Toyota's senior management team made the Skills Pledge at a meeting at the House of Commons, confirming its ongoing commitment to providing its 4,700 staff with skills and development opportunities.

Skills secretary John Denham said: "I commend Toyota for its long-standing commitment to workforce development and for reinforcing that commitment through the Skills Pledge. It has never been more important for manufacturers to develop the skills of its people, as those that utilise the potential of every employee to the full will be best placed to weather the challenging economic conditions, and to capitalise on opportunities for growth."

Clive Bridge, corporate affairs director at Toyota Manufacturing UK, said: "We demonstrate our commitment to world-class development together with providing our employees with the opportunity to gain a nationally recognised qualification. This has been positively received by our workforce; for many this will be their highest qualification."