by Graham Tutthill

A Dover coach company is the first in the United Kingdom whose drivers have all gained a new qualification.
Dover MP Gwyn Prosser congratulated staff of Britannia Coaches following their success and presented them with a certificate of accomplishment.
All the drivers have passed the new Driver Certificate of Professional Competence.
“Ever since Britannia Coaches set up in Dover in 1990 you have enjoyed an enviable reputation for good service and high standards,” Mr Prosser told them.
“Your success in becoming the first company in the country to get all your drivers certificated to CPC standard and awarded with NVQ and first aid certificates is a clear demonstration that Britannia are determined to build on their established high standards and continue providing their customers with the safe and efficient service they have become accustomed to.
“I offer you all my congratulations.”
Britannia Coaches was founded during the last recession after two taxi drivers, Danny Lawson and Barry Watson, decided it was a good time to go into the coach business together.
Nearly 20 years years later, and in spite of the arrival of another recession, the partners remain positive about the future of the company and proud of the foundations they have built.
Operations manager Ben Lawson said: “With the introduction of the CPC I saw it as a positive opportunity to focus on the development of our drivers.
“Taking the lead I signed up to the first seven-hour session to be delivered in the UK by Novadata. I collaborated with local training company KITA to devise a NVQ-based course, which could be delivered within the framework of the new CPC.
“Being involved at this early stage we were able to work with KITA to deliver a course to meet our needs.”