AUTOGLASS has opened a new national skills centre as part of a £5m campaign to raise industry standards of vehicle glass replacement.

The opening coincided with a call to the Government to introduce formal standards and a national register of vehicle glass fitting technicians.

Autoglass managing director Ian Carlisle said: 'Anyone can go out and replace vehicle glass but the windscreen is an integral safety feature and it is crucial that it is fitted by a properly-trained technician. We are taking training to another level with a consistent, standardised programme.'

The centre, based in Birmingham, will provide a programme of training with focus on all aspects of the job from customer service to technical excellence.

New trainees will work on the UK's top 10 best-selling vehicles in two-week induction courses, led by experienced Autoglass fitting technicians Steve Sinclair-Day and Julian Waller.

Experienced fitters will use the National Skills Centre to learn about new technology.