Three Activa Contracts employees have become the company's first members of staff to successfully complete National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs).

The leasing and fleet management company, which has more than 7,000 company cars and vans on its books, has increased its focus on employee development and skills enhancement by offering NVQs to staff.

Jo Henderson, Andy Raven and Rachael Sim all passed their NVQ in customer service at level two with “flying colours”, according to customer services director Karen McCarthy, who is spearheading the training initiative.

Additionally, the trio’s colleague Laura Baird, is expected to shortly become the fourth Activa Contracts’ employee to complete a customer service NVQ.

Henderson and Baird are both customer service executives, while Raven is employed as a customer service logistics executive and Sim has recently been promoted to daily rental team leader from daily rental executive.

McCarthy said: “Activa Contracts has always had a focus on investing in people with every employee having a training programme and plan that focuses on their continual development in terms of knowledge and skills.

“However, the introduction of an NVQ programme has moved our training focus to a new level with the emphasis on service delivery.”

The voluntary NVQ programme was funded by Activa Contracts. McCarthy added: “We asked for volunteers across the business and the first applicants have passed with flying colours.

“Their success has sparked additional interest from colleagues and a further three employees are due to start their NVQs in the summer. I anticipate that we will run an annual NVQ customer service programme.”