More than 220 Kier employees in North Tyneside and East Durham will be taking part in the training to achieve a nationally recognised qualification for driving company vehicles.

Kier operates 169 vans on the north-east roads, with 253 hours of driving logged every day.

The 12-month course will see employees gain NVQ Level 2 in Driving Goods Vehicles.

Drivers will be assessed in manoeuvring vehicles in restricted spaces, driving in a fuel efficient manner and safe loading/unloading procedures.

Kier regional director, Mike Furze, said: “Kier has a very visible presence on the roads of the north-east and it’s important that we and the public know our drivers have been suitably trained in addition to all the license, insurance and maintenance checks we do to keep everyone safe.

“This training is an opportunity for more than 220 driving employees to achieve a nationally recognised qualification for driving company vehicles and undertaking tasks that most will have been doing day in day out for many years.

“The safety and well-being of our employees are of the utmost importance and I am proud so many members of the team have taken up this opportunity to learn new skills and develop safer working practices, which will benefit not only them but also the environment and the local community.”